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1868 


WOODWARD’S 


COUNTRY  HOMES 


BY 


'GEO.  E.  WOODWARD, 


Architect  and  Civil  Engineer. 

Author  oe  “ Woodward’s  Architecture  and  Rural  Art,” 
No.  One  & No.  Two. 


JM’ew  yoRK  : 

GEO.  E.  WOODWARD,  No.  191  BROADWAY. 

1 868. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in 

Int„  , B.  WOO™”*'" 

e Clerk  s Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States 
hG  Southurn  District  of  New  York. 


CONTENTS, 


Pagk. 

INTRODUCTION. 

Domestic  Architecture  and  Embellishment 7 

Design  No.  1. 

A Laborer  s Cottage  25 

Design  No.  2. 

A Small  Frame  Cottage . . . . =>  e 3 » o 28 

Design  No.  3. 

A Compact  Frame  Cottage 30 

Design  No.  4. 

A Rural  Cottage  of  moderate  extent 34 

Design  No.  5. 

A Gardener’s  Cottage 40 

Design  No.  6. 

Stone  Stable  and  Coach  House 45 

Design  No.  7. 

A Farm  Cottage 40 


IV 


CONTENTS. 


Design  No.  8. 
Design  for  a Timber  Cottage 


Page. 

. 50 


Design  No.  9. 
Design  for  a Rural  Church 

Design  No.  10. 
A Suburban  Cottage 

Design  No.  11. 
An  Ornamental  Summer  House 


Design  No.  12. 
Stable  and  Carriage  House 

Design  No.  13. 
A Model  Cottage 


58 


04 


00 


08 


Design  No.  14. 
A Cottage  Stable 

Design  No.  15. 
Design  for  an  Ice  House 

Design  No.  10. 


A Suburban  Cottage 

Design  No.  17. 
Stable  and  Carriage  House 

Design  No.  18. 
School  House  at  Irvington 

Design  No.  19. 


A regular  Country  House 


75 


70 


79 


80 

87 


93 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

Design  No.  20. 

A Country  Chapel 96 

Design  No.  21. 

An  Old  House  Remodeled 99 

Design  No.  22. 

Coach  House  and  Stable 104 

Design  No.  23. 

Fences 106 

Design  No.  24. 

Plans  of  the  Residence  of  C.  F.  Park,  Esq 108 

Design  No.  25. 

Carriage  House  and  Stable Ill 

Design  No.  26. 

Residence  of  T.  II.  Stout,  Esq 113 

Design  No.  27. 

A Chapter  on  Gates 119 

Design  No.  28. 

Mr.  Tristram  Allen’s  House  at  Ravenswood,  Enlarged 131 

Design  No.  29. 

Plans  of  the  Residence  of  L.  M.  Ferris,  Esq 134 

Design  No.  30. 

A Model  Suburban  Cottage 139 

Design  No.  31. 

Head  Stone 149 

Balloon  Frames. 

Balloon  Frames ...  151 


vi 


CONTENTS. 


Pack. 


Design  No.  32. 

IIow  to  Remodel  an  Old  Farm  House 1G7 

Design  No.  33. 

Design  for  a Country  House  or  Parsonage 17G 

Designs  for  Three  Ice  Houses 182 

Design  No.  34. 

A Country  House 183 

Designs  for  Three  Ice  Houses 188 


WOODWARD’S 


COUNTRY  HOMES. 


In  presenting  to  the  public  a new  work  on  Domes- 
tic Architecture,  it  is  our  aim  to  furnish  practical 
designs  and  plans,  adapted  to  the  requirements  of 
such  as  are  about  to  build,  or  remodel  and  improve, 
their  Country  Homes. 

The  rapid  progress  in  rural  improvement  and*do- 
mestic  embellishment  all  over  the  land,  during  the 
last  quarter  of  a century,  is  evident  to  the  observation 
of  every  traveler,  and,  as  we  have  found  during  several 
years  of  professional  experience,  there  has  grown  up  a 
demand  for  architectural  designs  of  various  grades, 
from  the  simple  farm  cottage  to  the  more  elaborate 
and  costly  villa,  which  is  not  supplied  by  the  several 
excellent  works  on  this  subject  which  are  within  the 
reach  of  the  building  and  reading  public. 

Among  the  permanent  dwellers  in  the  country  this 
spirit  of  improvement,  fostered  as  it  is  by  the  diffu- 
sion of  publications  in  the  various  departments  of 
Eural  Art,  and  by  a wider  and  more  genial  general 
culture  as  the  means  of  intercommunication  and  edu- 


8 


woodward's  country  homes. 


cation  are  increased,  is  becoming  more  manifest  every 
year.  But  besides  these  intelligent  farmers  and 
tradesmen  who  make  the  country  their  home  the  year 
round,  there  is  a large  class  of  persons  whose  tastes 
or  business  avocations  compel  them  to  reside  a con- 
siderable portion  of  the  year  in  our  cities  or  suburbs 
— prosperous  merchants,  bankers,  professional  men, 
and  wealthy  citizens — who  have  the  tastes  and  means 
to  command  such  enjoyments  and  luxuries  as  the 
country  affords  ; who  need  the  change  in  scenes,  asso- 
ciations, employments  and  objects  of  interest,  for  them- 
selves and  their  households,  and  who  enjoy,  with  a 
keen  relish,  the  seclusion,  the  comparative  freedom 
from  restraint,  the  pure,  sweet  air,  the  broad,  open 
sunshine,  and  the  numerous  other  rural  advantages 
which  are  essentially  denied  them  in  their  city  homes. 

In  former  years  this  class  of  people  resorted,  almost 
exclusively,  to  the  sea-side,  and  a few  popular  mineral 
springs,  taking  in,  perhaps,  Niagara  in  their  transit, 
and  rarely  venturing  into  the  wild  and  unexplored  re- 
gions of  Lake  George.  They  returned  to  town  in  the 
early  days  of  September,  with  many  a backward,  long- 
ing look  at  the  attractions  and  delights  from  which 
they  reluctantly  tore  themselves  away,  and  settled 
down  again  to  the  weary  tread-mill  of  business.  But 
for  some  years  past  this  class  has  largely  increased  in 
number,  and  instead  of  confining  themselves  to  their 


woodward's  country  homes. 


9 


former  resorts,  they  now  seek  the  upper  country,  and 
prolong  their  stay  into  the  glorious  days  of  Autumn. 
Many  of  them  have  provided  permanent  summer 
homes,  among  the  hills  and  on  the  lake  or  river  shores. 
They  have  bought,  and  built,  and  planted,  until  they 
have  identified  themselves  with  the  chosen  spot,  and 
as  their  trees  have  taken  root  in  the  fertile  soil,  so 
have  their  affections  taken  root  in  the  beautiful  coun- 
try. They  hasten  gladly  to  these  rural  scenes  with 
the  opening  Summer,  and  they  leave  them  with  re- 
gret when  the  exigencies  of  business  require  their  pres- 
ence in  the  city, — when  the  Summer  suns  have  ripen- 
ed the  luscious  fruits,  and  the  flowers  fade  with  the 
frosty  kisses  of  the  cold,  and  the  passenger  birds  fly 
Southward.  This  class  of  our  population  know  where 
to  find  all  the  facilities  for  the  best  country  enjoyments, 
and  their  ample  means  assure  them  a free  choice  of 
summer  resorts,  and  adequate  command  of  all  the  ap- 
pliances of  pleasant  country  living. 

But  there  is  another  and  still  larger  class  of  citizens 
who  have  neither  the  means  to  enable  them  to  keep  up 
both  town  and  country  residences,  nor  such  command 
of  their  time  that  they  can  pass  two  or  three  months 
of  every  summer  away  from  their  business.  There 
are  thousands  of  clerks  and  subordinate  officers  in  the 
banking  and  insurance  institutions  in  our  cities  and  in 

our  large  commercial  houses  ; there  are  many  mer- 

1* 


10  woodward’s  country  homes. 

chants  who  are  making  their  way  slowly  and  surely  to 
competence  and  wealth,  who  would  gladly  compromise 
for  one- third  of  such  a summer  vacation.  These  are 
men  of  intelligence,  and  sometimes  of  a good  deal  of 
social  and  intellectual  culture  and  refinement.  Many 
of  them  were  horn,  and  their  boyhood  nurtured 
amongst  the  hills.  They  love  the  country  with  the 
intensity  and  purity  of  a first  love,  and  they  long  for 
communion  once  more  with  nature  in  all  her  moods 
of  loveliness.  Their  sweetest  dreams  still,  when  they 
forget  the  hard  realities  of  life,  are  of  green  lawns  and 
sloping  hill-sides,  of  waving  trees  and  cool  streams. 
And  they  would  wish  that  their  children  should  be- 
come familiar  with  the  same  wholesome  associations, 
and  be  moved  by  the  same  attachments  and  inspira- 
tions. In  the  city  they  are  constantly  exposed  to  its 
excitements,  and  subjected  to  the  restraints  of  its  ar- 
tificial modes,  with  few  outward  influences  to  counter- 
act upon  their  development ; with  very  little,  indeed, 
except  the  discipline  and  the  affections  of  home  to 
emancipate  them  from  the  tendencies  to  a trivial,  ar- 
tificial, and  sordid  life.  They  would  gladly  supply  to 
them  the  healthful  tone  and  vigor — the  outer  and 
inner  bloom  and  freshness — which  are  the  product  of 
out-door  life  in  the  pure  air  of  the  country.  But  they 
are  compelled  by  considerations  of  economy,  to  forego 
most  of  these  advantages,  and  allow  their  children  to 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


11 


grow  up  with  oity  tastes  and  habits.  They  long  for 
the  country  but  think  they  must  content  themselves 
with  the  town,  until  the  time  comes  when  their  for- 
tunes will  enable  them  to  command  the  coveted  in- 
dulgences. 

The  time  may  come,  sooner  than  they  anticipate, 
when  they  will  be  obliged  to  choose  the  country. 

Our  towns  are  rapidly  overflowing  their  local  boun- 
daries, and  spreading  out  into  suburbs,  more  or  less 
beautiful  and  desirable.  As  far  as  New  York  city  is 
concerned,  it  is  simply  a question  of  time  how  soon 
our  middle-class  citizens,  who  desire  to  live  comfort- 
ably, with  due  regard  to  economical  conditions,  will 
be  obliged  to  choose  the  country  for  their  homes. 

During  the  last  forty  years  this  city  has  increased 
in  population  with  a rapid  and  uniform  rate.  With- 
in the  memory  of  persons  now  living,  it  has  grown 
from  an  inconsiderable  commercial  town,  until  it  has 
become  one  of  the  great  cities  of  the  world.  This  ra- 
pid stride  and  steady  progress  furnish  us  with  the  ele- 
ments for  calculating  the  period  when  the  whole  island 
will  be  covered  with  buildings,  and  there  will  remain 
no  more  vacant  space  for  the  use  of  its  commerce,  or 
the  domestic  accommodation  of  its  citizens.  The 
present  population  of  the  city  is  estimated  at  fully 
one  million.  The  entire  territorial  capacity  of  the 
city,  the  density  of  the  population  remaining  the  same 


12  woodward’s  country  homes 

as  it  is  at  present,  cannot  much  exceed  two  millions. 
The  ratio  of  increase  during  each  period  of  live  years, 
since  1820,  is  about  twenty-eight  per  cent.  It  will 
thus  he  seen  that  the  utmost  limit  of  the  city’s  capa- 
city will  be  reached  within  the  next  sixteen  or  seven- 
teen years,  and  New  York  will  be  a solid  and  compact 
city  from  the  Battery  to  Westchester  County. 

Meanwhile,  the  expenses  of  living  in  the  city  are 
increasing  every  year.  Rents  are  higher  now  than  ever 
before,  and  there  is  no  prospect  of  their  coming  down 
for  many  years. 

For  it  must  be  remembered  that  when  we  renew  our 
building  operations,  which  have  been  nearly  suspen- 
ded for  the  last  four  years,  in  consequence  of  the  un- 
settled condition  of  the  country,  we  shall  have  to  pro- 
vide not  only  for  the  current  increase  in  population, 
but  for  the  deficiencies  which  result  from  the  past  four 
years  or  more,  when  comparatively  few  houses  were 
erected.  At  the  present  time  the  rent  of  a convenient 
and  respectable  house,  suitable  to  the  requirements 
of  a family  having  a fair  income,  and  occupying  a de- 
sirable position  in  society,  is  an  excessive  item  of  cost. 

And  the  remedy  for  this  is  to  go  into  the  country. 
Along  the  lines  of  our  railroads  and  navigable  waters 
there  are  localities  where  land  is  comparatively  cheap, 
— beautiful,  healthy  regions,  where  the  comforts  of  a 
rural  home  may  be  secured,  with  all  the  advantages 


woodward’s  country  homes.  13 

of  society,  and  of  religious  and  educational  establish- 
ments and  institutions.  The  facilities  for  reaching 
these  country  homes  are  already  adequate  for  general 
purposes,  and  will  be  increased  every  year,  as  the  de- 
mand for  them  grows.  Railroads  and  steamboats  are 
built  and  run  for  the  purpose  of  profit  on  freight  and 
passenger  transportation.  According  to  the  general 
law  of  trade,  the  supply  will  equal  the  demand,  and 
as  the  population  increases  along  our  lines  of  travel, 
the  facilities  and  accommodations  for  transit  will  be 
multiplied. 

Why,  then,  should  the  man  who  loves  the  country, 
and  possesses  tastes  and  capacities  for  its  enjoyment, 
and  yet  is  compelled  by  circumstances  to  practice 
economy  in  his  mode  of  living,  be  restrained  to  the 
city  limits  ? It  is  quite  a practicable  thing  for  him  to 
realize  his  wishes,— -live  in  the  country  and  enjoy  its 
best  luxuries,  without  abandoning  the  city  as  far  as 
its  commercial  advantages  are  concerned.  There  are 
localities  within  an  hour  of  the  city  hall,  where  land 
can  be  purchased  at  reasonable  rates,  and  where  all 
the  advantages  of  health  and  beauty,  of  retirement, 
pure  air  and  attractive  scenery  can  be  enjoyed  for  less 
money  than  is  now  expended  in  the  narrow  house  in 
the  crowrded  street,  where  every  sense  is  offended— 
with  no  open  sky  or  distant  horizon  tinged  with  the 
glories  of  the  dying  day  or  rising  morn — no  grassy 
lawns,  or  waving  trees,  or  fragrant  banks  of  flowers. 


14  woodward's  country  homes. 

For  such,  accommodations  as  he  has,  he  pays,  we 
will  say,  a rent  of  one  thousand  or  twelve  hundred 
dollars.  In  the  country  he  might  purchase  two  acres 
of  land  and  build  a cottage,  which  would  afford  him 
all,  or  more,  conveniences  than  he  now  has,  without 
the  necessity  of  climbing  four  or  five  flights  of  stairs 
—at  an  outlay,  at  the  usual  cost  of  building,  not  ex- 
ceeding six  thousand  dollars.  The  interest  on  this 
sum  would  be  four  hundred  and  twenty  dollars.  The 
difference  between  this  amount  and  his  present  house 
rent  would  in  a few  years  pay  the  whole  cost  of  the 
place,  and  he  would  have  a home — a centre  and  gather- 
ing place  for  his  domestic  interests  and  affections. 

And  this  is  no  fancy  sketch — no  exaggerated  state- 
ment of  possibilities.  We  know  of  localities  which 
can  be  reached  from  Wall  Street  in  as  many  minutes 
as  would  be  required  to  go  to  50th  Street,  where  land 
can  be  obtained  for  about  five  hundred  dollars  an  acre, 
where  there  are  all  the  conditions  of  health,  good  water, 
pure  air,  extensive  and  attractive  views,  and  whatever 
else  is  desirable  for  a country  home.  In  the  direction 
we  have  now  specially  in  mind,  there  are  at  least  twen- 
ty railroad  trains  which  daily  stop  at  convenient  sta- 
tions, between  the  early  morning  and  ten  o'clock  at 
night.  For  the  ordinary  purposes  of  business,  and 
social  intercourse,  this  is  ample  travelling  accommoda- 
tion, and  as  we  said  before,  these  accommodations 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


15 


will  b ■*  increased  in  the  proportion  that  the  country 
population  in  the  neighborhood  of  our  cities  becomes 
morf  dense,  and  thus  creates  a larger  demand  for  such 
facilities. 

The  necessity  and  desirableness  of  country  homes 
being  thus  easily  demonstrable,  it  is  of  importance  to 
know  how  to  choose  sites  for  them,  and  how  to  build. 
The  Poet-author  of  u Letters  from  under  a bridge,” 
has  given  a wise  and  admirable  suggestion  in  regard 
to  choice  of  sites,  “ leaving  the  climate  and  produc- 
tiveness of  soil  out  of  the  question,  the  main  things  to 
find  united,  are,  shade . water , and  inequality  of  sur- 
face. With  these  three  features  given  by  nature,  any 
spot  may  be  made  beautiful,  and  at  very  little  cost : 
and  fortunately  for  purchasers  in  this  country,  most 
land  is  valued  and  sold  with  little  or  no  reference  to 
these  or  other  capabilities  for  embellishment.”  There 
is  an  affluence  of  choice  sites  all  over  the  country,  and 
what  we  need  most  to  learn  is  how  to  develop  their 
capabilities,  and  add  such  fitting  embellishments  as 
belong  to  beautiful  and  convenient  houses.  Here  it 
is  that  the  popular  taste  requires  additional  cultivation. 
The  impulse  already  given  in  this  direction  should  be 
kept  up.  There  is  no  deficiency  of  wealth  for  the  ap- 
propriation and  culture  of  these  attractive  places,  and 
there  is  often  a lavish  expenditure  upon  country  homes 
which  ought  to  make  them  complete  and  even  mag- 


16 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


nificent.  But  unfortunately  we  see,  every  year,  costly 
establishments,  designed  for  summer  residences,  or 
for  permanent  homes,  built  up  with  as  little  regard 
for  taste,  as  for  expense.  The  deficiency  is  found 
rather  in  the  culture  than  in  the  dispositions  and 
means  of  our  people.  And  the  remedy  and  supply  for 
this  must  be  provided  by  the  dissemination  of  works 
treating  upon  this  and  kindred  topics  of  rural  art,  by 
means  ofwhich  the  public  taste  may  be  refined  and  ele- 
vated to  a higher  standard. 

In  constructing  country  houses  there  are  several 
prime  conditions  to  be  observed,  such  as  adaptation, 
accommodation,  and  expression.  By  adaptation  is 
meant  not  only  the  arrangement  of  the  main  structure, 
as  to  form  and  material,  to  suit  the  locality  and  char- 
acter of  the  grounds,  but  a fitness  as  respects  the  real 
wants — the  habits  and  condition — of  the  occupants 
and  the  purposes  of  a country  home.  Nobody  wants 
a modern  city  house  planted  down  in  the  open  coun- 
try, nor  should  any  sensible  man  seek  a refuge  from 
the  bare  streets  of  the  city  in  the  little  less  bare  streets 
of  a country  village.  There  is  no  congruity  between 
the  classical  forms  of  Grecian  Architecture  and  the 
varying  climate  of  our  land. 

The  material  used  in  the  construction  of  our  coun- 
try houses  has  not  been  sufficiently  considered  by  us. 
Timber  is  abundant  in  almost  all  parts  of  the  country , 


woodward’s  country  homes.  17 

and  the  facility  with  which  an  establishment — man- 
sion-house, office,  and  outbuildings — can  be  built  up 
in  a few  weeks,  of  this  material,  has  been  the  main  rea- 
son, we  suppose,  why  we  have  so  many  abortions,  in  the 
shape  of  Grecian  temples,  and  miniature  Gothic  ca- 
thedrals and  castles,  scattered  over  the  land.  Let  it  be 
considered,  that  in  building  our  countryhouses,  we  are 
not  simply  providing  for  ourselves,  but  for  our  chil- 
dren-— we  are  constructing  a homestead.  It  is  for  the 
want  of  this  consideration  that  we  have  so  few  homes 
in  our  country,  so  few  home  associations,  around  and 
among  which  our  deepest  and  purest  affections  are  en- 
twined. Our  thin  lath  and  plaster  constructions, 
which  rattle  and  tremble  in  every  wind  and  leak  in 
every  rain,  do  not  afford  very  good  or  permanent  cen- 
ters for  these  associations  and  affections. 

We  have  some  native  woods  that  are  durable,  out  of 
which  we  may  build  houses  that  will  last  for  several 
generations  ; hut  with  these,  even,  the  cost  of  fre- 
quent repairs  and  painting  is  so  great,  to  say  nothing 
of  the  annoyances  thereby  entailed,  that,  in  point  of 
economy,  wood  is  by  no  means  the  most  desirable  ma- 
terial. Nor  is  it,  in  any  way,  the  most  desirable. 
The  prevailing  taste  in  country  dwellings,  before  Mr. 
Downing’s  time,  was  defective  enough.  A large, 
square,  wooden  house,  painted  intensely  white,  gar- 
nished with  bright  green  Venetian  blinds — standing 


18  woodward's  country  homes. 

in  a contracted  yard— inclosed  with  a red  or  white 
wooden  fence,  was  the  very  beau  ideal  of  a gentleman's 
country  dwelling.  We  are  thankful  that  this  dispen- 
sation has  passed  away  ; and  we  revere  the  memory 
of  Downing,  and  of  others  like  him,  who  were  instru- 
mental in  bringing  in  a better  taste  in  such  matters. 
The  first  cost  of  a stone  or  brick  dwelling  somewhat 
exceeds  that  of  wood,  even  in  places  where  these  ma- 
terials are  readily  obtained.  But  if  they  are  properly 
constructed,  such  buildings  will  need  very  few  repairs 
for  many  years.  It  is  often  objected,  on  the  other 
hand,  that  such  buildings  are  damp  and  unwholesome. 
This  is,  undoubtedly,  true  of  many  of  the  old  stone 
houses  which  we  find  scattered  about  the  country. 
And  it  is  true,  because  they  were  not  properly  built. 
When  properly  built,  they  preserve  the  most  equal 
temperature  at  all  seasons.  They  are  warm  in  winter 
and  cool  in  summer,  and  the  sudden  changes  which 
affect  the  weather  without,  need  scarcely  be  felt  by  the 
delicate  invalid  within  the  walls  of  the  stone  mansion, 
if  suitable  attention  is  given  to  the  simple  matter  of 
ventilation. 

But  let  us  return  to  the  subject  ot  adaptation.  The 
illustrations  which  occur  to  us  may  serve  to  furnish  a 
somewhat  clear  idea  of  what  we  mean  by  the  prime 
conditions  necessary  to  be  observed  in  building. 

By  the  term  adaptation,  we  mean  such  choice  of 


woodward's  country  homes.  19 

style,  material,  size  and  arrangement  as  shall  fit  the 
structure  : 1st,  to  the  site  ; 2d,  to  the  climate  ; and 
3d,  to  the  uses  for  which  it  is  built. 

And,  first,  as  to  the  site  : It  would  be  obviously 

incongruous  to  erect  the  same  house  on  these  two 
different  sites,  with  their  different  characteristic  fea- 
tures and  surroundings  ; for  example,  the  one  a near- 
ly level  plane  gently  rising,  perhaps,  as  you  approach 
from  the  road  the  position  where  the  house  shall 
stand,  and  sloping  away  again  towards  other  broad 
green  fields  and  the  fertile  meadows  beyond — with  no 
background  of  hills  or  mountains,  no  irregularly  for- 
med lake,  but  with  a placid,  lazy  stream,  half-sleep- 
ing, half-gliding  by  the  weeping  elms,  and  among  the 
scattered  groups  of  stately,  old  trees  \—the  other , a 
romantic  hillside  in  the  native  forest,  with  its  neigh- 
boring mountain  range,  where  in  the  bright  summer- 
time, the  noisy,  laughing  brook  keeps  time  to  your 
thoughts  and  fancies  as  you  -wander  among  the  hills, 
and  in  the  bleak  winter  the  winds  sigh  mournfully 
through  the  pines  or  utter  their  clarion  calls  to  the 
spirit  of  the  storm. 

The  one  situation  would  be  appropriate  to  the 
Italian  villa,  with  its  fiat  roof,  and  overhanging  cor- 
nices, its  spacious  verandahs  and  balconies,  all  having 
that  depth  and  boldness  and  variety  of  outline  neces- 
sary to  secure  the  proper  effects  of  light  and  shadow 


20  woodward’s  country  homes. 

which,  the  absence  of  all  variety  of  form  in  the  land- 
scape, would  render  indispensable.  But  no  man  with 
an  artist’s  eye  would  think,  for  a moment,  of  building 
such  a house  as  this  on  our  wooded  hillside.  He 
would  construct  there  his  English  cottage  in  good 
solid  stone,  whose  steep  roofs  would  shed  with  facility 
the  summer  rain  and  the  winter  snow,  whose  irregu- 
larities of  form  and  outline  would  harmonize  with 
nature’s  Gothic  work  in  precipice  and  rock,  in  trees 
and  climbing  vines.  Or  else,  he  would  place  there 
his  Swiss  chalet,  which  would  he  in  harmony  with  the 
scene,  and  a pleasing  object  to  the  eye  of  the  observer. 
On  the  broad,  open  plane  the  villa  should  be  made, 
or  seem,  to  cover  a considerable  space,  while  the  nice 
cottage  might  be  built  more  compactly. 

But  here  let  us  remark,  that  many  of  our  attempts 
at  the  English  cottage,  generally  known  as  the  Goth- 
ic, have  been  failures,  and  some  of  them  sad  abortions. 

This  comes  from  defective  models  and  plans,  and 
these  defects  arise  mainly  from  these  sources — the  lack 
of  boldness  and  variety  in  the  main  outlines,  and  in 
the  construction  of  the  roofs  and  chimneys.  Such  a 
cottage,  to  be  pleasing  and  satisfactory,  must  have 
irregularities  in  form,  variety  in  ornament,  and  bold- 
ness in  treatment.  A square  house  with  additions  of 
gables,  and  dormers  and  pinnacles,  and  ridge  crests, 
will  not  give  us  an  English  cottage.  It  is  a work  of 


woodward's  country  homes. 


21 


art,  like  a poem  or  a picture,  and  not  a mechanical 
aggregation  of  Gothic  features  and  ornaments.  We 
were  about  to  say  that  it  should  never  he  attempted 
in  any  other  material  than  stone,  hut  as  many  of  us 
cannot  command  the  means  for  such  permanent  build- 
ings, we  will  concede  that  it  may  be  allowable  for  us 
to  put  our  wooden  buildings  into  the  cottage  form, 
using  the  best  taste  and  the  most  beautiful  and  pictur- 
esque styles,  even  if  the  material  is  objectionable. 

One  other  observation,  before  we  return  to  our  main 
topic,  may  be  indulged.  It  is  simply  the  suggestion 
that  too  little  attention  has  been  paid  to  the  slcy- 
outlines  of  our  country  houses.  Roofs  and  chimney- 
tops  have  been  treated  as  necessary  evils,  instead  of 
being  made,  as  they  may  be,  highly  ornamental.  The 
unity  of  the  plan,  as  a work  of  art,  is  lost  as  you 
ascend  above  the  eaves,  all  the  rest  seeming  like  ex- 
crescences growing  out  of  structures  otherwise  com- 
mendable and  satisfactory.  The  superior  horizontal 
lines  of  the  roof  will  depend  somewhat  upon  the  back- 
ground of  the  house.  When  a building  is  placed  upon 
the  crest  of  a hill,  or  upon  a slope  descending  from 
the  main  point  of  view,  so  that  its  outlines  are  seen 
against  the  sky,  the  treatment  of  the  plan  will  be 
obviously  different  from  that  required  where  the  back- 
ground is  solid,  as  a hill  or  a forest.  In  any  case, 
however,  the  horizontal  lines  should  be  broken,  as  far 


22  woodward's  country  homes. 

as  practicable,  by  making  the  roofs  of  the  several 
parts  of  the  house  of  unequal  height. 

It  will  be  apparent,  without  special  argument,  that 
our  choice  of  style  in  our  country  houses  should  be 
controlled  essentially  by  the  climate.  In  oar  northern 
climate,  the  flat  roof  is  objectionable,  and  we  are 
obliged  to  modify  the  Italian  styles  somewhat  in  this 
respect,  to  obviate  inconveniences.  The  hot  summer 
sun,  when,  as  on  an  August  day,  in  the  city, 

“ The  pavements  all  are  piping  hot, 

The  sky  above  is  brazen, 

And  every  head  as  good  as  dead 
The  sun  can  shed  his  rays  on,” 

will  be  more  than  likely  to  open  the  joints  and  seams 
of  the  flat  roof,  and  the  sudden  shower  coming  down 
with  the  force  of  a tropical  storm,  will  find  its  way 
through,  sadly  to  the  detriment  of  our  ceilings,  our 
stuccoes  and  frescoes,  as  well  as  to  the  comfort  and 
the  commendable  equability  of  temper  of  those  who 
suffer  the  invasion.  The  heavy  winter  snows,  too, 
require  a steep  roof,  from  which  they  will  readily  dis- 
lodge themselves  without  injury. 

And  so  in  the  interior  arrangements  of  the  house, 
the  provisions  for  heating  and  ventilation,  for  summer 
freedom  and  winter  coziness,  for  domestic  comfort  and 
the  exercise  of  the  commendable  grace  of  country 
hospitality,  due  regard  must  be  had  to  the  conditions 
of  climate.  There  must  be  a proper  adaptation  to 


woodward's  country  homes. 


23 


them,  if  we  would  secure  satisfactory  country  homes. 

And  this  brings  us  to  our  last  topic,  the  uses  for 
which  our  country  seats  are  built.  The  place  designed 
simply  for  a summer  residence  for  the  citizen,  who  is 
obliged  to  be  at  his  office  or  counting  room  daily, 
bating  the  few  weeks  of  summer  vacation,  need  not  be 
so  complete  in  its  appointments  and  arrangements,  as 
the  permanent  country  residence.  One  essential  con- 
dition, however,  in  this  case  is,  that  there  shall  be 
room  enough , with  ample  verandahs,  and  shaded 
gravel  walks,  which  will  afford  opportunities  for  open 
air  exercise  in  all  states  of  the  weather.  There  is 
nothing,  perhaps,  that  interferes  so  essentially  with 
the  citizen's  enjoyment  of  the  country,  as  the  want  of 
facilities  for  out  door  exercise.  It  is  too  hot  or  too 
dusty  to  ride  or  walk,  before  the  shower,  and  after  its 
refreshment  has  come,  it  is  too  wet  and  muddy.  Spa- 
cious verandahs,  shaded  with  vines,  and  well-made 
walks,  always  firm  and  dry,  bordered  with  shrubbery, 
or  overhung  with  trees,  will  give  us  u ample  scope  and 
verge  enough." 

But  the  uses  of  country  seats  depend  mainly  upon 
the  tastes  and  habitudes  of  the  occupants;  and  their 
adaptation  in  style  size  and  arrangement  should  be  ac- 
cordingly. We  believe  there  is  no  law  against  a mans’ 
building  an  elegant  library  and  picture  gallery,  though 
he  may  have  no  taste  for  literature  or  art,  but  having 


24 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


plenty  of  money,  chooses  to  make  this  display  of  it. 
There  are  a great  many  absurdities  to  which  poor, 
frail  humanity  is  liable,  against  which  the  legislature, 
in  its  wisdom,  has  not  thought  it  worth  while  to  make 
solemn  and  positive  enactments;  it  is  better  for  the 
general  moral  condition  of  society,  perhaps,  that  the 
vulgar  rich  man’s  ambition  for  display  should  mani- 
fest itself  in  books  and  pictures,  rather  than  in  fast 
horses.  Might  not  the  cultivation  of  the  garden — 
vegetables,  fruits  and  flowers, — take  the  place  of  both, 
as  simple  means  of  display?  These  are  wholesome 
and  agreeable  Employments  even  for  those  who  have 
passed  that  time  of  life  when  a taste  for  books  and  art 
may  be  acquired. 

A country  seat  should  combine  and  express  the  real 
uses  which  are  required  by  the  intellectual  and  social 
condition  of  its  occupants,  and  not  attract  attention 
as  blazoning  the  wealth  and  money  importance  of  the 
owner.  If  he  is  rich,  let  him  make  it  as  complete  and 
singly  elegant  as  he  will,  and  this  he  may  do  without 
proclaiming  to  every  passer-by  his  miserable  pride  of 
wealth. 

With  these  preliminary  observations,  we  submit 
our  work  to  the  judgment  of  those  who  are  interested 
in  these  subjects.  We  have  not  included  in  our  pres- 
ent volume  any  considerable  number  of  designs  for 
the  more  spacious  and  costly  Villa,  the  work  being 


WOODWARD  S COUNTRY  HOMES, 


25 


designed  for  popular  use  and  to  meet  a demand  which 
is  unprovided  for  by  previous  publications. 


DESIGN  No.  1. 


This  design  as  shown  in  figures  1 and  2,  is  for  a 
laborer’s  cottage  intended  to  be  erected  on  the  grounds 
connected  with  a fine  estate  on  the  western  slope  of 

the  Palisades  in  New  Jersey.  It  is  to  be  built  of 

2 


26 


WOODWARD  S COUNTRY  HOMES. 


rough  stone,  plainly  finished.  It  is  16  by  24  feet  out- 
side, having  a living-room  with  bed  room  on  the  first 
floor,  (Fig.  3,)  a large  pantry,  stairway,  etc.,  and  a 
fine  cellar  below.  The  second  floor  (Fig.  4,)  has  two 
bed-rooms,  well  lighted  and  ventilated,  and  large 
closets  to  each.  This  size  will  admit  of  several  dif- 
erent  arrangements;  the  rear  door  might  open  out 


from  the  pantry,  and  afford  more  convenient  access  to 
the  cellar  stairs,  to  get  in  heavy  articles,  and  shut  out 
some  cold  in  winter,  but  would  interfere  with  the  fine 


woodward’s  country  homes.  27 

ventilation  so  necessary  in  summer  to  a generally 
heated  apartment,  as  a kitchen,  dining,  and  living- 


room  combined.  A porch  might  be  placed  over  the 


xear  door,  or  better  still,  at  a small  additional  expense. 


28 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


a summer-kitchen  and  wood-house  might  be  added. 
A bouse  of  this  accomodation  is  usually  the  first  one 
put  up  by  settlers  on  the  western  prairies.  They  are 
built  of  wood,  balloon  frame,  with  a plain  pitch  roof, 
without  ornament. 

The  elevations  as  shown,  give  a greater  variety  than 
is  usual  in  this  class  of  building,  and  a house  thus 
constructed  may  afterwards  become  a very  pretty 
portion  of  a larger  and  more  expensive  structure. 


DESIGN  No.  2. 


The  second  design  (Fig.  5,)  is  for  a frame  building 
giving  more  variety  of  outline.  The  plan  (Fig.  7,) 


WOODWARD  S COUNTRY  HOMES. 


29 


separates  the  sitting  room  from  the  kitchen  and 
dining  room,  and  insures  more  privacy.  There  is  also 


Fig.  6. — Side  Elevation. 

a greater  abundance  of  closets,  though  smaller.  One 
of  the  bed  rooms  above  might  be  divided  into  two, 


Fig.  7. — First  Floor. 

and  thus  increase  the  accommodation.  A portion  of 
the  cellar  may  also  be  finished  for  a kitchen,  and  the 


30  woodward's  country  homes 

living  room  used  as  a dining  room.  This  plan  admits 
of  future  additions  being  made  without  destroying 
the  harmony  or  proportion  of  the  building.  To  one 
of  moderate  means,  such  a mode  of  building  presents 
some  attractions,  as  it  affords  a house  for  immediate 


wants,  to  which  additions  may  be  made  as  one's 
means  increase.  Such  houses,  if  tastefully  furnished 
and  embellished  with  suitable  surroundings,  as  neat 
and  well-kept  grounds,  fine  trees,  shrubbery,  flowers, 
and  climbing  vines,  will  always  attract  more  attention 
and  admiration  than  the  uninviting  aspect  of  many 
more  expensive  structures.  Money  tastefully  expen- 
ded in  this  manner  will  always  yield  gratifying  results. 


DESIGN  No.  3. 

This  design  is  similar,  in  some  respects,  to  design 
No.  2,  and  gives,  perhaps,  the  most  compact  arrange- 


woodward’s  country  homes.  31 

ment  of  rooms  for  a building  having  so  irregular  an 
outline.  Exteriorly  considered,  there  is  much  to  be 


Fig.  9. — Front  Elevation. 


admired  in  variety,  and  light  and  shadow,  the  differ- 


ent elevations  being  entirely  unlike  each  other,  and 


32 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


affording  a constant  change  from  every  point  of  view; 
an  object,  we  think,  very  much  to  he  desired  in  cot- 
tage architecture,  and  when  well  managed  never  fails 
to  make  a pleasing  impression.  A high,  bold  appear- 
ance, without  the  overhanging  eaves  or  depth  of 
shadow,  is  not  suitable  for  a country  house;  a feeling 
is  created  that  something  is  wanting  to  make  up  the 
accessories  of  an  agreeable  habitation. 


Fig.  11. — Basement  Plan. 


In  this  plan,  (Fig.  11,)  the  kitchen  is  in  the  base- 
ment, convenient  to  the  cellar,  and  with  a good  pantry 
attached  to  it.  It  is  put  there  for  the  purpose  ot 
economizing  in  the  construction.  Our  own  preference 
is  to  put  the  kitchen  in  a well  ventilated  wing  on  a 
level  with  the  main  floor,  and  thus  avoid,  as  much  as 
possible,  the  necessity  of  running  up  and  down  stairs. 
This  can  be  done  at  any  future  time  when  desired,  as, 


woodward’s  country  homes.  33 

indeed,  can  any  addition  of  other  rooms  be  made  to 
meet  the  wants  of  an  increasing  family.  A dumb  wai- 
ter connects  the  kitchen  with  the  dining  room,  and 
thus  saves  many  steps. 


The  first  floor  (Fig.  12,)  gives  parlor,  dining  room 
and  a library,  with  a roomy  vestibule,  and  a side  door 
or  private  entrance,  and  supplies  all  the  wants  of  a 
small  family.  The  library  might  he  used  for  a bed 
room.  On  the  second  floor  (Fig.  13,)  are  e bed  rooms 
with  closets. 

The  engravings  are  intended  to  tell  their  own  story 
as  far  as  possible,  and  but  little  explanation  is  neces- 
sary to  make  them  fully  comprehensible.  In  the 
matter  of  cost,  one  can  hardly  give  a price  that  is 
reliable;  the  enormous,  advance  in  some  building  ma- 
terials and  slight  advance  in  others,  disarrange  all  old 

o* 


34 


woodward's  country  homes. 


standards  of  estimating.  Localities,  of  course,  have 
much  to  do  with  the  cost;  yet,  above  all  others,  the 
business  management  must  be  considered.  A good 
manager,  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  qualities  and 


values  of  materials,  who  knows  how  to  direct  labor  to 
the  best  advantage,  will  execute  work  at  a less  cost 
than  one  who  undertakes  his  own  building  without  a 
previous  training. 


DESIGN  No.  4. 

This  is  a perspective  view  of  a cottage,  designed  to 
afford  a reasonable  amount  of  accomodation  for  an 
average  sized  family,  and  which,  if  tastefully  furnish- 


WOODWARD  S COUNTRY  HOMES. 


35 


ed,  and  fitted  with  suitable  landscape  surroundings, 
will  convey  a pleasing  impression  to  all;  much  more 
so  than  dwellings  of  a more  expensive  class,  where  suf- 
ficient attention  is  not  given  to  such  accessories. 

The  plans  of  this  house  are  compact,  the  rooms 


Fig.  14. — Perspective. 


opening  into  each  other  in  such  a manner  as  to  alford 
easy  communication  and  economy  in  heating.  The 
porch  is  spacious,  and  more  pleasant  than  the  long, 
narrow  verandah.  The  supply  of  water  for  all  pur- 
poses is  from  a filtering  cistern,  which  is  connected 
with  the  kitchen  sink,  by  a pump.  The  entire  house 


36 


woodward's  country  homes. 


may  be  heated  by  a furnace,  hot  water,  or  steam,  as 
is  most  preferable;  or  stoves  may  be  used  in  nearly 
all  the  rooms,  if  first  cost  is  to  be  closely  considered. 
A passage  undernbath  the  staircase  connects  with  the 
side  door  from  the  vestibule,  and,  with  the  exception 
of  the  library,  all  parts  of  the  house  are  accessible 
without  passing  through  other  rooms. 


Fig.  15. — Basement  Floor. 


In  the  vicinity  of  large  cities,  and  more  particularly 
the  city  of  New  York,,  there  are  reasons  whicii  have  a 
money  value  to  them,  why  more  attention  should  be 
given  to  suburban  architecture,  and  why  capitalists, 
as  well  as  individuals,  should  undertake  the  construc- 
tion of  moderate-priced  buildings,  that  shall  command 
attention  from  the  harmonious  combination  of  fine 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


37 


architectural  effects.  It  requires  but  a very  limited 
experience  to  become  aware  of  the  fact,  that  dwellings 
of  precisely  the  same  cost,  and  similarly  situated,  will 
differ  in  their  rental  at  least  one  half,  and  it  is  mainly 
owing  to  the  reason  that  one  is  properly  designed, 
and  the  other  perhaps  an  amateur  performance,  mod- 
eled after  the  ill-proportioned  Greek  pediment  style, 


too  prevalent  to  be  countenanced  for  a moment  by  any 
one  who  prides  himself  on  his  good  taste.  There  can 
be  no  question  that  a fitly  designed  cottage,  conve- 
niently arranged,  adds,  independently  of  its  own  cost, 
a large  per  centage  to  the  value  of  the  acres  which 
surround  it,  and  is  the  point  which  arrests  the  eye  and 
secures  the  purchaser.  Rapid  rail-road  facilities, 
lower  rents,  more  healthful  localities,  and  the  fact 


38 


woodward's  country  homes. 


that  the  growth  of  this  city  “ Spuy ten  Duyvelward” 
has  reached  a point  beyond  the  convenient  access  ot. 
the  strictly  business  man,  necessarily  turn  the  atten- 
tion of  those  who  look  to  the  full  measure  of  comfort/ 
to  a suburban  life,  ten  to  fifteen  miles  away  from  the 
unceasing  noise  and  hurry  of  the  city,  where  the  busi- 
ness of  the  day  is  forgotten,  and  fresh  air,  fresh  milk, 
butter  and  eggs,  fruits,  flowers,  birds,  &c.,  are  lux- 
uries unknown  in  town.  Taking  a strictly  money 


view  of  building  operations,  for  sale  and  rent,  in 
suburban  localities,  and  more  particularly  about  New 
York,  it  would  promise,  by  every  course  of  reasoning, 
a remunerative  return,  if  the  plan  were  judiciously 
and  tastefully  carried  out.  The  wants  of  the  public, 
however,  are  so  unequal,  and  their  opinions  so  varied 
by  the  circumstances  under  which  they  are  formed, 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


39 


that,  unless  an  attractive  beginning  can  be  shown, 
very  desirable,  property  may  remain  a long  time  on 
the  market.  If  we  canvass  real  estate  thoroughly,  we 
shall  find  that  property  sells  first,  and  at  the  best 
prices,  which  has  ever  so  humble  a cottage  on  it,  a 
starting  point  in  which  one  may  temporarily  reside, 


and  lay  out  his  plans  of  future  operations;  for  the 
construction  of  a country  place  is  of  all  things  one 
with  which  to  make  haste  slowly.  With  those  active- 
ly engaged  in  business,  and  to  whom  time  is  every 
thing,  there  is  no  disposition  to  add  the  labor  and 
annoyances  of  building;  the  demand  is  for  a home 


40 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


ready  for  occupancy;  the  thought  is  entertained,  and 
the  wish  gratified,  simply  because  the  opportunity 
presented  itself;  but  it  is  far  less  trouble  for  young 
and  middle-aged  business  men  to  stick  to  the  city, 
than  to  give  the  time  for  building,  particularly  when 
they  undertake  their  own  architecture.  Let  capital- 
ists invite  them  by  snug,  well-built,  convenient,  and 
tasteful  cottages,  and  the  demand  will  always  be  in 
advance  of  the  supply,  in  all  healthy  localities,  having 
rapid,  reliable,  and  frequent  communication  with  the 
city. 


DESIGN  No.  5. 

A GARDENER’S  COTTAGE. 

The  accompanying  design  was  made  for  William 
C.  Bryant,  Esq.,  by  Fred’k  S.  Copley,  Esq.,  Artist, 
Tompkinsville,  Staten  Island,  and  was  erected  on  his 
beautiful  estate  at  Roslyn,  Long  Island,  in  1862.  It 
stands  on  the  hill  above  his  residence,  overlooking  the 
bay  from  the  village  to  the  Sound,  possessing  one  of 
the  finest  views  on  the  Island.  It  was  intended  as  a 
gardener’s  lodge,  and  to  accommodate  one  or  two  fami- 
lies, as  circumstances  might  require,  (one  on  each 
floor,)  giving  each  three  rooms,  and  a joint  right  to 
the  scullery,  sink,  and  cellar. 


woodward's  country  homes. 


41 


Fig.  19. — • Perspective  View . 


42 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


Arrangement. — The  first  story  is  9 feet  in  the  clear 
throughout,  with  every  convenience  suitable  for  the 
health  and  comfort  of  the  occupants.  From  the 
porch,  a small  hall,  lighted  from  the  roof,  is  en- 
tered, with  doors  on  either  hand,  to  parlor  or  living 
room,  and  staircase  passage  in  front,  communicating 
with  the  kitchen  at  the  back,  chambers  above,  and 
cellar  beneath. 

The  chamber  floor,  second  story,  is  9 feet  in  the 
clear  through  the  centre,  and  6 feet  at  the  sides,  (from 


the  floor  to  the  plate,)  the  roof  cutting  off  three  feet 
of  the  ceiling  at  the  sides  at  an  angle  of  45  degrees. 
This  loss  of  a few  feet  of  the  ceiling  is  more  than  com- 
pensated by  the  cottage-like  effect  it  gives  to  the 
rooms,  harmonizing  the  inside  with  the  external  ap- 
pearance. The  two  principal  chambers  are  provided 


woodward's  country  homes.  4 6 

with  fire-places  and  ample  closet  room.  The  one  over 
the  parlor  has  two  closets,  built  outside  the  frame, 
and  a door  into  the  single  room,  over  the  porch,  form- 
ing a most  desirable  family  chamber.  Both  these 
rooms  have  ventilators  in  the  same  chimney  breast, 
and  the  small  one  may  he  warmed  by  a stove  leading 
thereto.  The  other  has  a large  closet  over  the  store- 
room for  trunks,  linen,  &c.  The  attic  room  over  the 
kitchen  wing  is  intended  for  the  domestics. 


Fig.  21. — Chamber  Floor. 


By  reference  to  the  plans,  it  will  he  seen  that  every 
room  is  of  good  size  and  form,  cheerfully  lighted,  tho- 
roughly ventilated,  and  of  easy  access  one  to  another, 
at  the  same  time  that  privacy,  so  essential,  is  main- 
tained throughout. 

Construction. — The  building  is  constructed  of  wood, 
vertically  sided,  and  battened,  (with  inch  tongued 
and  grooved  pine  plank,)  with  horizontal  strips  in 


44 


woodward's  country  homes. 


line  of  the  window  sills  and  floors,  to  hide  the  huts, 
and  small  tiiangular  pieces  in  the  corners,  which  gives 
the  pretty  effect  of  paneling.  The  whole  is  stained 
by  a mixture  of  oil,  &c.,  that  heightens  the  grain  of 
the  wood,  and  gives  a brightness  of  color,  and  that 
cheerfulness  of  effect,  so  desirable  in  rural  dwellings. 
The  roof  is  of  slate,  in  bands  of  purple  and  green,  and 
the  chimneys  are  surmounted  by  terra-cotta  pots.  The 
whole  is  filled  in  with  brick. 

This  cottage  is  built  in  a substantial  and  plain 
manner,  with  cellar  under  kitchen,  cemented  on  the 
gravel  the  same  as  the  cistern,  and  all  the  interior 
wood  work  is  oiled  and  stained. 

As  a specimen  of  cottage  architecture,  (on  the  small- 
est scale,  lodge  class,)  it  will  rank  as  one  of  the  best. 
For  simplicity,  variety  of  form,  symmetry  of  propor- 
tion, with  convenience  of  arrangement  and  economy  of 
space  and  construction,  it  forms  a model  cottage,  that 
any  one  might  live  in  and  many  covet,  besides  being  an 
addition  to  the  landscape  and  an  ornament  to  the 
grounds. 


woodward's  country  homes. 


4ft 


DESIGN  No.  6. 

STONE  STABLE  AND  COACH  HOUSE. 

This  design  was  erected  on  the  Hudson,  during  the 
past  year,  of  the  beautiful  rock  faced  stone  so  abundant 
between  the  Spuyten  Duyvil  and  the  Highlands,  and 
is  a good  example  of  such  a building  as  will  meet  the 


Fig.  22. — Perspective. 


requirements  of  a moderately  extensive  establishment 
It  is  conveniently  arranged,  enabling  all  the  work  to 
be  done  with  the  most  ease,  and  gives  thorough  light 
and  ventilation,  so  essential  to  the  health  and  comfort 
of  animals.  The  time  has  gone  by  to  give  prospec- 
tive prices  for  anything,  but  we  have  seen  the  day 


46 


WOODWARD'S  COUNTRY  HOMES. 


when  this  building  might  have  been  erected  for  about 
$4,000.  A room  for  the  coachman  may  easily  be  made 


on  the  second  floor,  and  the  plan  increased  or  decreased 
to  suit  the  wants  of  any  one. 


DESIGN  No.  7. 

A FARM  COTTAGE. 

We  show  in  this  design  a style  of  cottage  which,  in 
these  high  priced  times  of  lumber  and  labor,  can  be 
erected  at  a very  reasonable  figure  ; and  although  pre- 
pared for  a farm  cottage,  will  admit  of  such  changes  as 
will  adapt  it  to  the  wants  of  those  who  require  a higher 
grade  of  accommodation.  It  is  the  most  natural  thing 
in  the  world  for  any  one  to  take  up  a plan  and  suggest 
innumerable  changes  and  additions,  always  forgetting 
the  unalterable  condition  of  price,  situation,  and  object, 


47 


WOODWARD'S  COUNTRY  HOMES. 


48 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


which  restrained  the  architect  while  working  it  up. 
To  prepare  a design  regardless  of  expense  is  a very 
different  matter  from  devising  one' that  gives  the  larg- 
est amount  of  accommodation  within  a fixed  limit  of 
cost.  We  shall  arrive  gradually  at  the  precise  figures, 
and  endeavor  to  get  the  accommodation  wanted  by 
some  of  our  readers. 

It  has  been  frequently  observed  that  the  gate  lodges 


Fig.  25. — Cellar. 

and  farm  cottages  attached  to  large  estates  are  gen- 
erally more  attractive  in  their  architectural  propor- 
tions and  beauty  than  the  mansion  itself;  and  this 
has  been  usually  attributed  to  the  education  of  the 
proprietor’s  tastes,  the  cottages  being  the  latest  erec- 
tions. This  impression  is  not,  however,  always  true; 
for  there  is  a peculiar  beauty  and  attractiveness  about 
cottage  architecture  which  can  not  be  produced  in 
buildings  of  a larger  and  more  commodious  class. 
Certain  it  is  that  a prettily  designed  cottage  will  al- 
ways arrest  attention.  “ Among  the  first  and  most 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


49 


pleasing  impressions/’  says  a late  writer,  u of  our  trite 
friend,  the  intelligent  foreigner,  as  he  entered  England 
by  the  old  Dover  road,  were  those  suggested  by  the 
little  whitewashed  and  woodbined  cottages  which 
caught  his  eye  at  every  turn.  All  books  of  travels  on 
English  ground  are  full  of  them.  Snugly  sheltered  in 
its  bower  of  apple  trees,  or  more  stately  group  of  wal- 
nuts, approachable  only  by  its  rustic  stairs,  or  dotted 
at  neighborly  distances  along  the  straggling  village, 


Fig.  27. — Second  Floor. 

with  its  trim  garden  of  lavender  and  wall  flowers,  seen 
through  the  wicket  gate  or  over  the  privet  hedge,  the 
English  cottage,  above  or  below,  near  or  in  the  dis- 
tance, was  alike  the  delight  and  envy  of  the  traveler, 
the  theme  of  the  journalist  and  the  poet.  ‘ There  is 
scarce  a cottage/  says  an  American  tourist  just  landed 
from  America  and  France,  1 between  Dover  and  Lon- 
don which  a poet  might  not  he  happy  to  live  in.  I 
saw  a hundred  little  spots  T coveted  with  quite  a 


ROOF 


p 

ra 

i~i 

r CHAMBER  II 

o 

LuJ 

P3W 


50 


woodward's  country  homes. 


heart-ache.'  Whether  or  not  Rogers  would  have  given 
up  his  picture-lighted  snuggery  in  St,  James'  Place 
for  his  ‘ Cot  beside  the  hill,'  and  really  preferred  to  have 
his  latch  lifted  by  the  pilgrim,  instead  of  his  knocker 
by  a London  footman,  it  is  certain  that  the  cottage 
homes  of  England  that  border  the  main  roads  have 
long  possessed  a beauty  far  beyond  the  houses  in  other 
lands  belonging  to  classes  much  higher  in  the  social 
scale,  and  have  been  coveted,  sometimes  not  without 
reason,  by  those  who  could,  if  they  chose,  have  pur- 
chased them  fifty  times  over." 


DESIGN  No.  8. 

This  design  for  a timber  cottage  is  simple  and  at 
the  same  time  picturesque,  and  built  upon  a site 
adapted  to  it,  and  in  harmony  with  the  architectural 
expression,  the  effect  could  not  fail  to  be  in  a high 
degree  pleasing. 

It  will  be  seen  that  some  of  the  principal  timbers 
of  the  frame  are  intended  to  show  on  the  outside,  and 
that  there  is  a designed  contrast  between  the  horizon- 
tal siding  extending  to  the  top  of  the  posts,  and  the 
vertical  and  battened  covering  of  the  pediment  above 
the  ornamental  string  course.  The  brackets  and  posts 


WOODWARD  S COUNTRY  HOMES. 


51 


Fig.  28. — Perspective  View. 


52 


woodward's  country  homes. 


which  support  the  roof  of  the  porches,  should  be  cham- 
fered, and  these  timbers  should  be  of  sufficient  thick- 
ness to  avoid  any  appearance  of  meanness,  while  at 


Fig  29. — Cellar. 


the  same  time,  they  should  not  be  too  heavy,  and  so 
destroy  the  proportions  of  the  design. 

The  roof  should  be  covered  with  shingles  having 

O O 

their  ends  clipped  or  rounded. 


Fig.  30. — First  Floor.  Fig.  31. — Second  Floor. 


The  cellar  may  be  divided  in  such  way  a3  to  serve 
the  wants  of  the  occupants.  A portable  furnace  might 
De  placed  at  the  foot  of  the  basement  stairs,  which 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


53 


would  warm  the  rooms  on  the  first  floor,  and  temper 
the  air  of  the  chambers  above. 

The  interior  accommodations  and  conveniences  are 
readily  seen  on  inspection  of  the  plans — (Figs.  30.  31). 
There  is  no  waste  of  room,  and  for  the  uses  of  a small 
family,  the  accommodations  would  be  found  as  ample 
as  could  well  be  obtained  in  a cottage  of  such  size  and 
cost. 


DESIGN  No.  9.— RURAL  CHURCH. 

DESIGNED  BY  THE  REV.  DR.  CRESSY. 

This  design  is  intended  for  a church  which  is  to 
occupy  a beautiful  and  commanding  site  on  the  west- 
ern shore  of  Lake  George,  in  the  midst  of  the  original 
forest,  and  is  now  in  process  of  erection.  It  will  also 
meet  the  requirements  of  several  correspondents  who 
have  requested  plans  for  rural  churches  which  could 
be  erected  as  economically  and  cheaply  as  possible, 
with  due  regard  to  proportion,  fitness  and  beauty  of 
expression. 

This  design  will  be  found  to  comprehend,  we  may 
say,  in  an  eminent  degree,  variety  of  outline,  correct- 
ness of  detail,  force  of  expression  and  purity  of  taste, 
with  simplicity  of  execution,  and  in  those  parts  of  the 


54 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


country  where  lumber  is  abundant,  and  labor  not  ex- 
orbitant, it  can  be  erected  at  a low  cost. 

We  have  a right  to  congratulate  ourselves  on  the 
improvement  which  the  last  quarter  of  a century  has 
witnessed  among  our  people  in  the  building  and  adorn- 
ing of  our  edifices  devoted  to  Christian  worship. 
Downing,  in  his  time,  said,  “ that  the  ugliest  church 


Fig.  32. — Perspective. 


architecture  in  Christendom,  is  at  this  moment  to  be 
found  in  the  country  towns  and  villages  of  the  United 
States.”  And'speaking  of  the  influence  of  what  our 
churches  should  be,  in  the  beauty  of  their  proportions, 
and  in  the  expression  of  the  sacred  purposes  which 
they  embody,  and  the  feelings  of  reverence  and  har- 
mony with  God  and  man  which  they  suggest,  he  fitly 
says — 6C  We  fear  there  are  very  few  country  churches 
in  our  land  that  exert  this  kind  of  spell, — a spell 


woodward's  country  homes.  55 

which  grows  out  of  making  stone,  and  brick,  and  tim- 
ber, obey  the  will  of  the  living  soul,  and  express  a re- 
ligious sentiment.  Most  persons,  most  committees, 
select  men,  vestrymen,  and  congregations,  who  have 
to  do  with  the  building  of  churches,  appear  indeed 
wholly  to  ignore  the  fact,  that  the  form  and  feature 
of  a building  may  be  made  to  express  religious,  civil, 
domestic,  or  a dozen  other  feelings,  as  distinctly  as  the 
form  and  features  of  the  human  face  : — and  yet  this 


Ftg.  33. — Floor  Plan. 

is  a fact  as  well  known  by  all  true  architects,  as  that 
joy  and  sorrow,  pleasure  and  pain,  are  capable  of  ir- 
radiating or  darkening  the  countenance.  Yes,  and  we 
do  not  say  too  much,  when  we  add,  that  right  expres- 
sion in  a building  for  religious  purposes,  has  as  much 
to  do  with  awakening  devotional  feelings,  and  beget- 
ting an  attachment  in  the  heart,  as  the  unmistak- 
able signs  of  virtue  and  benevolence  in  our  fellow-crea- 
tures have  in  awakening  kindred  feelings  in  our  own 
breasts. 


56 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


“ We  do'  not,  of  course,  mean  to  say  that  a beauti- 
ful rural  church  will  make  all  the  population  about  it 
devotional,  any  more  than  that  sunshine  will  banish 
gloom  ; but  it  is  one  of  the  influences  that  prepare  the 
way  for  religious  feeling,  and  which  we  are  as  unwise 
to  neglect,  as  we  should  be  to  abjure  the  world  and 
bury  ourselves,  like  the  ancient  troglodytes,  in  caves 
and  caverns.” 

Happily  we  are  coming  to  appreciate  these  truths, 
not  only  in  our  cities,  but  in  the  country,  and  the 
ugly,  unsightly,  and  unseemly  structures  which  have 
so  long  deformed  the  land  are  giving  place  to  edifices 
in  which  the  true  ideas  of  harmony,  grace,  proportion, 
symmetry  and  expression,  which  make  what  we  call 
Beauty,  are  brought  out  in  due  proportion. 

The  church  we  present  is  designed  to  be  of  wood, 
the  country  about  the  site  affording  an  abundance  of 
that  material,  at  the  lowest  cost.  An  inspection  of 
the  design  will  show  that  the  principal  timbers  of  the 
frame  are  intended  to  be  visible  externally, — the  wea- 
ther-boarding being  set  back  from  the  face  of  the  posts 
and  beams.  This  exterior  covering  is  intended  to  be 
made  of  sound  rough  plank,  from  ten  to  fourteen  inch- 
es wide,  and  at  least  one  and  a-half  inches  thick. 
Thege  are  to  be  tongued  and  grooved,  so  as  to  make 
a close  joint,  and  nailed  to  the  frame  in  a vertical 
manner.  The  joint  is  to  be  covered  with  a narrow 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


57 


strip,  or  batten,  of  one  and  a-half  inch  plank.  These 
unplaned  plank  may  be  painted  with  two  good  coats 
and  sanded,  or  they  may  be  left  to  take  such  tints  and 
complexion  as  time  and  the  weather  may  give  them. 

Lumber,  at  the  proposed  site,  being  cheaper  and 
more  easily  obtained  than  lime,  the  interior  of  the 
church  will  be  neatly  ceiled  with  narrow  boards,  which 
will  be  lightly  stained  and  oiled.  The  roof  will  be 
“ open  timber”  of  simple  construction.*  All  the  wood 
work  of  the  interior  will  be  of  pine,  smoothly  planed, 
stained  and  oiled,  without  paint,  except  the  ceiling  of 
the  roof  which  should  be  colored,  in  order  to  give  some- 
thing like  warmth  of  tone  to  the  interior,  the  lack  of 
which  is  often  sadly  felt  in  our  country  churches,  par- 
ticularly. 

This  mode  of  weather-boarding  and  u open  timber” 
finish  is  now  so  common  that  a more  particular  de- 
scription is  unnecessary. 

This  church  will  seat,  comfortably,  about  two  hun- 
dred persons.  Its  cost  will  depend  entirely  upon  the 
price  of  lumber  and  labor,  of  course,  and  these  vary 
with  different  localities,  and  are  particularly  uncertain 
at  this  time.  We  will  only  add  that  it  will  cost  no 
more  to  build  with  correct  proportions  and  in  good 
taste,  than  in  disregard  and  defiance  of  these  desirable 
and  commendable  principles. 

3* 


58 


woodward's  country  homes. 


DESIGN  No.  10. 

We  give  below  a somewhat  different  example  of 
Cottage  Architecture,  of  a form  that  is  compact  and 
every  way  available,  at  the  same  time  affording  every 
convenience  in  the  arrangement  of  rooms  desirable  for 
a family  of  refined  tastes  and  moderate  means.  This 
cottage  may  be  built  of  wood,  or,  better  still,  in  favor- 
able localities,  of  brick  or  stone,  and  if  suitably  sur- 
rounded with  tasteful  landscape  embellishments,  will 
make  a snug,  pretty,  and  attractive  home.  One  can, 
by  the  exercise  of  appropriate  taste,  produce  the  right 
kind  of  an  impression  in  a house  of  this  character. 
It  should  become  a part  of,  and  belong  to  the  acres 
which  surround  it;  it  should  be  an  indispensable 
accessory  to  the  place  itself,  and  the  grounds  should 
be  laid  out  and  embellished  in  such  a manner  that 
the  whole  combination  impresses  all  with  harmonious 
beauty,  and  not,  as  is  too  frequently  the  case,  seek  to 
make  up  the  wretched  deficiencies  in  the  grounds  by 
elaborate  expenditure  and  display  about  the  house. 
A true  appreciation  of  country  life  will  not  tolerate 
slovenly,  ill -kept  grounds,  and  no  house  exhibits  its 
true  value  unless  there  is  a harmony  in  its  surround- 
ings. If  this  be  attended  to,  a high  degree  of  effect 
can  be  produced  in  houses  of  very  moderate  cost; 


Fig.  34. — Perspective. 


60 


woodward’s  country  homes 


houses  that  shall  be  roomy,  warm,  substantial,  and 
in  every  way  agreeable  to  their  occupants. 

The  plans  show  the  arrangement  of  rooms,  and 
these  can  be  made  larger  or  smaller,  or  be  differently 
disposed,  to  suit  almost  any  fancy.  In  this  design 
the  kitchen  apartments  are  below  stairs;  in  future 


Fig.  35. — Basement  Plan. 


plans  we  shall  give  some  with  kitchen,  laundry,  etc., 
on  the  principal  floor;  or  they  can  be  readily  added 
to  this  plan.  The  cost  of  a house  is  the  one  thing 
desirable;  every  one  asks  for  it,  and  yet  every  one 
within  our  knowledge  who  has  built  a house  himself 
at  a stated  price  has  been  sadly  deceived.  Close 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


61 


specifications  are  very  dry  reading,  and  not  appropri- 
ate here,  and  it  is  questionable  how  much  service  they 
would  be  to  any  but  professional  builders.  It  is 
reasonable  to  suppose,  that  if  one  without  building 
experience  undertakes  it,  he  will  have  to  pay  some- 
thing additional  for  the  knowledge  he  will  gain.  If 


Fig.  36. — First  Floor. 


he  places  it  to  the  proper  account,  then  we  can  not  be 
accused  of  misleading  him. 

Most  men  contemplate,  at  some  period  of  life,  the 
construction  of  a dwelling-house,  but  few  deem  it 
necessary  to  study  their  wants  or  prepare  their  plans 
until  they  have  selected  their  site  and  made  all  other 


62 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


arrangements  for  building,  and  then  proceed  with  ah 
possible  haste  to  plan  a home.  That  which  should 
have  been  the  study  of  months  or  years,  is  hurried 
through  in  as  many  days,  imperfectly  done  at  the  best, 
and  the  cause  of  frequent  annoying  and  expensive 
changes  after  the  work  has  commenced.  It  is  true, 


that  the  site  has  very  much  to  do  with  the  distribu- 
tion of  rooms,  but  any  ingenious  architect  can  readily 
adapt  a proper  combination  of  rooms  to  suit  the  ex- 
posures and  views  of  a particular  site.  It  would  be 
vastly  better  for  those  who  prefer  to  arrange  their  own 
plan  of  rooms,  (and  there  are  but  very  few  who  do 


Fig.  37. — Second  Floor. 


woodward’s  country  homes.  63 

not,)  that  they  take  abundant  time  to  consider  well 
every  thing  relating  to  them;  and  although  the  hope 
of  building  may  be  very  remote,  it  should  not  be  con- 
sidered time  lost  to  begin  to  give  one’s  thoughts  a 
definite  form  of  what  he  thinks  a house  should  be; 
for  if  nothing  else  results,  it  may  furnish  a valuable 
hint  for  a friend,  and  will  certainly  enlarge  one’s 
information  and  experience  in  these  matters.  Almost 
every  one  is  capable,  with  such  hints  a&  have  been 
freely  given  in  the  volumes  of  the  Horticulturist, 
in  the  leading  papers  which  treat  on  rural  art,  and 
the  numerous  valuable  publications  on  rural  archi- 
tecture, to  make  such  a combination  of  rooms  as  will 
best  suit  his  peculiar  wants,  tastes,  or  fancies,  and 
then,  with  the  aid  of  an  architect,  it  can  readily  be 
freed  from  mechanical  impracticabilities,  and  put  into 
a proportionate  and  harmonious  form.  Architecture, 
both  in  design  and  construction,  is  a profession  that 
requires  long  years  of  study  and  practice  to  develop 
an  expert,  and  those  who  really  want  a good  thing  at 
the  least  cost,  usually  seek  such  assistance;  those 
who  prefer  to  do  their  own  designing  and  building, 
find  out  with  absolute  certainty  the  most  expensive 
modes  of  erecting  very  ugly  and  ill-proportioned 
structures. 


64  woodward’s  country  homes. 


DESIGN  No.  11. 

A SUBURBAN  SUMMER  HOUSE. 


Fig.  38. 


In  the  adornment  of  ornamental  grounds,  some  con- 
siderable attention  has  been  given  to  summer  houses, 
and  similar  structures ; but  these  have  been  mainly 
rustic  in  their  design  and  finish,  and  in  this  respect 
well  adapted  to  their  purpose  and  surroundings.  The 
good  taste  of  these  structures  will  not  be  called  in 
question.  There  are  locations,  however,  in  the  more 
immediate  vicinity  of  .our  large  cities,  where  a style 


woodward’s  country  homes.  65 

less  rustic  would  seem  to  be  more  in  harmony  with 
the  architecture  which  is  found  to  prevail.  We  refer 
to  residences  on  the  outskirts  of  our  large  cities,  with 
inclosures  containing  a few  city  lots.  Here  the  archi- 
tecture, so  far  from  being  rural,  is,  on  the  contrary, 
stiff,  sharp,  and  sometimes  very  ornate.  A rustic 
summerhouse  in  such  a place  would  be  an  incongruity. 
A rustic  house  is  in  itself  a beautiful  object ; but  there 
is  a certain  charm  in  association  which  can  not  be 
widely  departed  from  without  doing  violence  to  our 
conceptions  of  the  fitness  of  things  ; and  hence  a pure- 
ly rustic  house  without  rural  surroundings  is  destitute 
of  the  chief  elements  which  give  rise  to  the  beautiful. 
Most  persons  would  say  it  was  out  of  place. 

The  design  herewith  presented  was  prepared  to 
meet  the  requirements  of  such  a case  ; it  is  conse- 
quently somewhat  elaborate.  It  is  located  on  a small 
plot  of  ground  within  the  city  limits,  and  in  full  view 
from  three  streets.  The  grounds  are  laid  out  with  a few 
rectangular  walks,  and  such  shrubs  as  the  small  size 
of  the  place  would  admit  of.  The  house,  we  think 
corresponds  with  its  surroundings.  Its  faults,  if  any, 
are  a little  too  much  ornament,  but  something  of  this 
kind  seemed  to  be  required  in  the  absence  of  that 
more  beautiful  ornamentation  produced  by  the  dra- 
pery of  Nature.  The  house  is  so  located  that  it  re- 
ceives the  morning  sun  for  a few  hours,  but  during  the 


66 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


rest  of  the  day  is  in  the  shade  ; it  therefore  constitutes 
a pleasant  place  of  retreat  for  the  family  at  all  hours, 
and  is  used  by  the  children  freely  as  a play  house. 
The  floor  is  laid  in  narrow  stuff,  and  is  elevated  a foot 
above  the  ground  for  the  sake  of  dryness.  Easy  seats, 
a handsome  centre  table,  and  a hanging  lamp  complete 
the  interior.  Venetian  blinds  afford  ample  protection 
on  a misty  day  or  a chilly  night,  or  admit  the  soft  sum- 
mer breeze  on  a hot  and  sultry  eve. — Horticulturist . 


DESIGN  No.  12. 

STABLE  AND  CARRIAGE  HOUSE. 

This  stable  affords  abundant  accommodation  for 
three  horses,  with  carriage  house,  feed  room,  and  a 
large  harness  room  on  the  first  floor,  while  the  loft 
above  may  contain  a coachman’s  room,  and  leave  am- 
ple space  for  hay  and  straw. 

If  required,  a shed  and  cow  house  can  be  extended 
on  the  side  opposite  the  carriage  house,  thus  adding 
considerably  to  the  effect  of  the  external  appearance. 
Under  the  stable  there  should  be  a cellar  for  the  stor- 
age of  roots  for  feed,  and,  if  desirable,  the  winter 
stock  of  vegetables  for  household  use.  This  stable 
may  be  built  of  wood,  or  of  stone  or  brick. 


WOODWARD  S COUNTRY  HOMES. 


67 


Fig.  39. — Stable. 


■Stable  Plan . 


68 


woodward’s  country  hqmes. 


DESIGN  No.  13. 

This  design  is  intended  to  cover,  at  a low  cost,  as 
much  comfort  and  convenience  as  a moderate-sized 
family  would  require,  and  to  distribute  the  same  as 
much  as  possible  on  one  floor. 

The  cellar  or  basement  kitchen  is  dispensed  with 
and  only  enough  cellar  room  provided  to  meet  the 
wants  of  those  who  occupy  suburban  places  of  a few 
acres  in  extent.  Where  large  quantities  of  vegetables 
are  stored,  or  where  cellar  room  is  required  for  farm 
purposes,  we  think  it  better  to  build  cellars  separate 
from  the  residence,  (an  arrangement  much  more 
healthful,  as  well  as  convenient  and  desirable.)  For 
the  preservation  in  warm  weather  of  meats,  milk,  and 
other  perishable  articles,  a refrigerator,  or,  better  still, 
an  ice  closet,  can  be  set  up  at  one  end  of  the  laundry. 
This  can  be  supplied  with  ice  through  an  outside  door, 
and  is  infinitely  better  and  more  convenient  than  any 
cellar  or  spring  house. 

The  kitchen  is  without  a fire-place,  but  is  provided 
with  a ventilator  in  the  chimney  near  the  ceiling.  The 
cooking  may  be  done  by  a stove,  which,  if  properly 
contrived,  is  one  of  the  most  effective  ventilators,  and 
preferred  by  many  housekeepers  for  all  kitchen  pur- 
poses. Or  a range  can  be  placed  in  the  chimney,  if 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


70 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


desirable,  or  a fire-place,  if  it  should  be  considered  in- 
dispensable. 

A door  under  the  stair- way  separates  the  front  and 
rear  halls,  and  disconnects  the  kitchen  apartments 
from  the  rest  of  the  house.  All  the  doors  opening  into 
the  rear  hall  should  be  hung  with  the  new  spiral  spring 
butt,  the  best  door  spring  that  has  come  under  our 


notice.  It  is  entirely  concealed,  and  works  without  a 
fault.  » 

The  closets  in  the  dining  room  are  finished  to  give 
an  interior  appearance  of  a bay  window.  The  dining 
room  and  the  two  chambers  above,  are  intended  to  be 
heated  by  a fire-place  heater  set  in  the  chimney,  thua 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


71 


warming  three  rooms,  at  pleasure,  with  one  fire.  A 
small  stove  in  the  library  will  keep  that  comfortable. 
Or,  in  place  of  all  this,  the  whole  house  may  he  heated 
by  any  of  the  approved  modes,  in  the  use  of  hot  air, 
hot  water,  or  steam. 

The  library,  parlor,  or  general  living  room  in  a 


country  house — and  we  like  these  rooms  in  one — 
should  have  the  cheerful,  healthful  luxury  of  an  open 
fire-place,  and  we  know  of  no  more  elegant,  cleanly 
and  effective  contrivance  for  this  purpose  than  Dixon’s 
low  down,  Philadelphia  Grate,  in  which  wood,  coal, 
or  any  other  fuel  can  be  used  equally  well.  The  ad- 


Fig.  43. — First  Floor. 


72 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


vantages  combined  in  this  grate  are  these  : — the  firb 
flat  on  the  hearth,  and  radiating  the  heat  from  an  oval 
cast  iron  backing  : cold  air  supplied  from  below,  and 
ashes,  dirt,  &c.,  shaken  down  into  an  ash-pit  in  the 
cellar,  beneath  the  grate.  We  speak  confidently  of 
this  invention,  after  a trial  of  two  winters,  and  do  not 


Fjg.  44. — Second  Floor. 

hesitate  to  say  that,  compared  with  this,  the  ordinary 
grate  is  worthless.  Large  rooms  can  be  kept  per- 
fectly comfortable  in  the  coldest  weather,  without 
heat  from  any  other  source. 

This  house  is  supplied  with  a cistern,  constructed 
with  the  utmost  care,  ten  feet  in  diameter,  and  ten 


woodward’s  country  homes.  73 

feet  deep,  holding  6,000  gallons  of  water.  The  roof 
is  of  slate,  and  the  rain-water  is  therefore  of  great 
purity,  free  from  color,  and  the  woody  taste  usually 
imparted  to  it  by  falling  on  a shingle  roof. 

At  the  laundry  sink  is  one  of  West’s  lift  and  force 
pumps,  which  draws  the  water  from  the  cistern.  This 
pump  is  a simple  and  effective  affair,  and  works  with 
remarkable  ease,  is  always  in  order,  and  may  be  con- 
sidered one  of  the  best  pumps  known.  We  have  given 
it  a thorough  trial,  and  speak  from  personal  .knowl- 
edge. 

On  one  side  of  the  laundry  sink  there  is  also,  one  of 
Kedzie’s  large  size  rain-water  filters,  which  holds 
several  pails  full  of  water,  and  which  we  commend  as 
an  admirable  contrivance  for  the  purposes  intended 
It  possesses  every  merit  claimed  for  it,  and  after  more 
than  a year’s  use,  the  water  drawn  from  it  is  of  such 
crystal  purity  and  sweetness  as  to  attract  the  atten- 
tion of  all  to  whom  it  is  offered. 

No  well  has  been  dug  or  contemplated  on  the  pre- 
mises connected  with  this  cottage.  About  one-half 
the  cost  of  a well  has  been  expended  upon  a slate  roof, 
a large  and  carefully-constructed  cistern,  West’s  pump 
and  Kedzie’s  filter — the  other  half  has  been  safely  in- 
vested in  U.  S.  7-30’s,  and  instead  of  hoisting  water 
fifty  feet,  for  household,  garden,  and  stable  uses,  the 

turn  of  a croton  water  tap  is  not  more  easy  and  con- 

4 


74 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


venient;  ancl  the  finest  flow  of  a silver  spring  of  soft 
water,  is  not  more  beautiful  than  that  delivered  by 
West’s  pump  and  Kedzie’s  filter,  which  supplies  for 
all  purposes  of  the  cottage,  stable,  and  garden,  water 
unsurpassed  in  its  pleasant  and  wholesome  properties. 
Those  who  see*k  the  most  convenient  and  reliable 
modes  of  procuring  the  purest  and  sweetest  water, 
will  find  this  to  be  the  least  costly  and  the  most  satis- 
factory. 

Fora  compact,  convenient  cottage,  with  every  fa- 
cility for  doing  the  work  of  the  household,  with  the 
least  number  of  steps — in  which  all  the  essential 
modern  conveniences  are  introduced,  without  the 
modern  prices  attached — for  a low-priced,  elegant  cot- 
tage, we  do  not  know  of  any  plan  more  appropriate 
than  this. 

In  the  construction  of  this  house  a bay-window  was 
introduced  in  front,  in  the  parlor,  (Fig.  43.)  and  the 
veranda  was  made  half  octagon.  These  alterations 
add  much  to  exterior  appearance,  as  well  as  to  the 
capacity  of  the  parlor.  On  the  side  of  the  parlor  and 
dining  room  an  addition  is  contemplated,  which  will 
relieve  the  apparent  want  of  variety  which  now  exists, 
and  essentially  improve  the  external  appearance. 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


75 


DESIGN  No.  14. 


Fig.  45. — Cottage  Stable. 


Fig.  4 6.-— Plan, 


'Wwi'im 


76  woodward's  country  homes. 

Fig.  45  shows  a design  for  a cottage  stable,  giving 
accommodations  for  a horse  and  cow,  two  carriages, 
one  or  two  wagons,  and  two  tons  of  hay.  The  main 
building  is  so  proportioned,  that  three  more  stalls 
may  be  added,  and  it  may  then  become  the  wing  of  a 
larger  building,  to  be  used  for  carriage  room  and  other 
purposes.  For  those  who  keep  but  one  horse  and  cow, 
this  design  affords  abundant  room. 


DESIGN  No.  15. 

ICE  HOUSE. 

It  is  only  within  a few  years  that  ice,  in  all  seasons, 
has  been  classed  among  the  necessaries  of  life.  In 
large  cities  it  is  indispensable,  but  the  cool  spring- 
hous.e  or  cellar  in  the  country  impresses  many  with 
the  idea  that  ice,  in  summer  months,  can  only  be  re- 
garded as  a luxury.  Along  with  other  conveniences 
in  keeping  with  this  progressive  age,  the  ice-house 
has  its  place,  and  a country-seat  of  any  pretensions  is 
not  complete  without  it. 

It  is  simple  in  construction,  and  can  be  built  very 
cheaply  of  rough  materials,  or  made  as  elaborate  as  is 
desirable.  It  forms  a pretty  feature  about  the  grounds, 
if  treated  with  some  architectural  taste. 


woodwabd’s  countby  homes, 


77 


Fig.  47. — Ice  House 


Fig.  48. — Ground  Plan. 


78 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


FIG.  49 .—Perspective. 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


79 


DESIGN  No.  16. 

This  design,  with  the  accompanying  plans  suffi- 
ciently explain  themselves  without  minute  description. 
The  arrangement,  as  will  he  seen  upon  examination, 
secures  a very  large  amount  of  accommodation,  with 
good  sized  rooms,  and  ample  store  and  closet  conveni- 
ences. The  building  is  compact,  and  at  the  same 
time  presents  a pleasing  variety  in  its  exterior  appear- 
ance. By  carrying  up  the  library,  two  dressing  rooms, 
for  the  two  principal  chambers,  may  be  secured. 

When  one  contemplates  building,  and  has  put  his 
thoughts  and  wishes  into  a tangible  form,  the  leading 
question  asked  is,  how  much  will  all  this  cost?  for 
what  price  in  dollars  and  cents,  without  extras  or  ad- 
ditional charges  of  any  kind,  can  this  dwelling  be 
erected  in  a good  and  workmanlike  manner,  in  ac- 
cordance with  plans  and  specifications,  and  satisfac- 
tory to  the  owner?  This  is  precisely  the  plain  English 
of  what  a business  man  wants  to  know;  for  we  hold 
that  it  is  right  and  proper,  that  every  one  should  look 
right  through  all  the  connected  links  and  complications 
that  require  a considerable  expenditure  of  money,  and 
see  that  he  lands  carefully  in  the  place  anticipated. 
To  start  with  the  intention  of  disbursing  $5,000,  and 
wind  up  with  an  expenditure  of  $12,000,  is  not  only 


80 


woodward's  country  homes. 


annoying  in  a money  point  of  view,  but  an  impeach- 
ment of  one's  judgment  and  good  sense,  not  pleasant 
to  bear  outsiders  reflect  on;  for  however  much  one 
might  wish  to  shift  the  responsibility  on  others,  it  is 
one  of  those  things  that  time  will  always  place  where 
it  belongs.  As  long  as  men  consider  the  arts  of  design- 
ing and  constructing  buildings  to  be  of  no  special 
importance,  or  that  they  are  qualified,  without  in- 
struction or  experience,  to  practice  them,  expensive 
blunders  will  naturally  result,  and  sooner  or  later  it 
will  be  discovered  that  such  wisdom  is  dearly  bought. 
There  are  many,  however,  who  prefer  to  manage  their 
building  affairs  thus,  and  who  can  only  learn  more 
agreeable  and  less  expensive  modes  by  actual  expe- 
rience; some  do  it  from  ignorance,  some  from  supposed 
economy,  and  others  from  the  supposition  that  they 
are  best  qualified. 

The  design  for  a house  or  other  building,  and  a 
plan  of  the  interior  arrangement  of  each  floor,  prepar- 
ed by  a professional  man  who  makes  such  things  the 
business  of  his  life,  is  now  very  generally  admitted 
by  intelligent  men  to  be  essential;  but  the  manage- 
ment or  superintendence  of  the  work  by  the  party  who 
has  studied  and  designed  it,  does  not  seem  quite  so 
apparent.  An  architect  prepares  the  drawings  for  a 
dwelling  to  cost  $5,000;  now  whether  it  actually  will 
cost  $5,000,  $8,000  or  $10,000,  in  the  hands  of  an- 


woodward’s  country  homes.  81 

other  superintendent,  is  an  unanswered  problem.  A 
prevailing  folly  which  we  find  very  general,  is  to  sup- 
pose that  all  men  can  build  the  same  house,  in  all 
places,  for  precisely  the  same  amount  of  money;  and 
but  few  are  willing  to  admit  that  they,  of  all  others, 
are  not  the  most  competent  to  carry  through  the  whole 
business  of  building  at  thq  lowest  figure.  Some  must 


Fig.  50. — Basement  Plan. 


find  out  in  the  most  expensive  manner,  that  the  pro- 
fession of  an  architect,  or  the  skill  of  a builder,  can 
only  be  attained  by  long  years  of  careful  application. 

What  a house  will  cost  to  build  is  a question 
always  asked  with  the  utmost  simplicity,  and  a prompt 
and  reliable  answer  always  expected,  and  if  not  forth- 
coming at  once,  gives  rise  to  a suspicion  that  one’s 

professional  ability  is  not  of  the  most  thorough  char- 

4* 


82 


woodward’s  country  homes 


ucter.  There  are  so  many  conditions  to  govern  results 
in  house  building,  that  even  an  approximate  estimate 
may  fall  very  wide  of  the  mark.  Two  houses  may  he 
built  from  the  same  plan,  and  we  may  also  say,  from 
the  same  specifications;  one  by  day’s  work,  and  the 
other  by  contract,  and  they  shall  be  so  exactly  alike 
in  all  respects  when  finished,  that. an  unprofessional 


observer  would  detect  no  difference,  and  yet  one  may 
honestly  cost  just  double  the  amount  in  money  ex- 
pended on  the  other;  even  the  same  builder  may  build 
two  houses  precisely  alike  in  all  respects,  and  yet  the 
copt  be  quite  unequal.  On  one  site  stone  may  be 
easily  obtained,  a sand  bank  on  the  premises,  a run- 
ning brook  close  at  hand,  saw  mills,  brick  yards,  and 


woodward’s  country  homes.  83 

lime  kilns  within  moderate  distances  and  accessible 
by  good  roads.  The  other  site  may  be  quite  the  re- 
verse in  situation,  or  have  some  decided  disadvantages 
in  obtaining  some  very  necessary  materials.  We  once 
built  a fine  stone  house  where  stone  was  abundant  and 
close  at  hand,  but  all  the  lumber  and  brick  had  to  be 
hauled  thirteen  miles  over  hilly  roads;  the  cost  of 


Fig.  52. — Second  Floor, 


that  house  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  cost  of  a similar 
house  in  a different  locality. 

A competent  business  superintendent  has  a great 
deal  to  do  with  the  cost  of  a house;  one  that  under- 
stand all  the  tricks  of  every  building  trade,  that  knows 
the  market  well,  and  the  value  and  quality  of  all 
building  materials,  and  where  inferior  workmanship 


84 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


and  materials  can  be  used  to  an  equal  advantage  with 
those  of  first  class.  To  slight  work  and  yet  do  it 
justice;  to  give  it  all  the  strength  and  endurance  ne- 
cessary, requires  one  of  skillful  acquirements.  A 
mechanic  may  persuade  a proprietor  into  many  a long 
day’s  work,  as  it  pays  well  to  nurse  good  jobs  when 
other  work  is  slack,  but  an  architect  who  understands 
such  things  would  save  the  value  of  useless  work. 

The  cost  of  a house  depends  on  a well-studied  plan; 
this  plan  does  not  consist  alone  in  the  arrangement  of 
rooms,  windows,  doors,  etc.,  but  involves  a careful 
study  of  the  anatomy  of  construction.  One  may  save 
by  a proper  distribution  of  timbers,  as  well  as  make  a 
very  great  saving  by  the  arrangement  of  rooms.  Good 
management  is  of  the  greatest  importance,  not  only 
as  a matter  of  economy,  but  as  securing  the  best  class 
of  workmanship,  and  the  most  judicious  use  of  ma- 
terials. Good  or  bad  management  produces  the  same 
results  in  building  operations  as  in  war  or  any  other 
pursuit. 

One  takes  up  a capital  work  on  rural  architecture, 
written  perhaps  ten  or  fifteen  years  ago,  before  the 
general  introduction  of  furnaces,  steam  pipes,  gas, 
baths,  marble  basins,  etc.;  they  find  a house  that  suits 
them,  which  the  book  says  will  cost  $6,000,  and  that 
is  just  the  amount,  by  close  figuring,  that  can  be 
raised  for  building.  The  house  is  ordered,  put  in  the 


woodward’s  country  homes.  85 

hands  of  the  best  mechanic  to  finish  all  complete,  and 
he  goes  ahead:  he  is  unrestricted  except  by  the  book, 
and  the  author  of  it  is  a man  of  reputation.  In  the 
way  of  details  perhaps  nothing  has  been  said;  they 
are  therefore  extravagant  in  the  use  of  materials,  and 
elaborate  in  workmanship;  as  it  is  not  considered  good 
policy  for  a workman  who  has  a good  order,  to  make 
suggestions  calculated  to  decrease  the  amount  oi  work. 
When  the  bills  to  the  amount  of  $6,000  have  been 
settled,  the  house  is  found  to  be  half  finished,  an'l  an 
additional  $6,000  is  necessary  to  complete  it;  less 
that  one  year’s  interest  of  which  would  have  amply 
sufficed  to  secure  the  services  of  one  who  has  spent  the 
best  years  of  his  life  to  learn  how  to  design  and  to 
manage  work  to  cost  a specified  price. 

When  an  architect  says  a house  can  be  built  for  a 
certain  price,  it  is  to  be  understood  that  materials 
delivered  on  the  ground  shall  not  exceed  an  average 
cost,  that  the  payments  made  are  to  be  in  cash,  and 
that  he  manages  the  work.  To  hold  an  architect  res- 
ponsible or  blame  him  for  blunders  in  the  cost  of 
work  that  he  designed  and  did  not  superintend,  is 
manifestly  unjust,  yet  it  is  a frequent  occurrence. 
The  cost  of  work  is  a question  easily  answered,  when 
one  is  fully  acquainted  with  all  its  bearings  and  has 
it  under  his  control,  but  no  one  can  say  at  what  price 
a novice  in  building  operations  can  execute  it. 


86 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


DESIGN  No.  17. 


Fig.  53. — Stable . 

Fig.  53  is  a design  for  a cottage  stable,  with  stalls 
for  two  horses,  and  the  necessary  carriage  room  and 


Fig.  54. — StoMe  Plan.  {Reversed.) 
other  conveniences.  This  design,  in  its  exterior,  pre- 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


87 


sents  as  great  a degree  of  variety  in  the  combinations 
of  form  and  shadow  as  the  price  will  admit  of.  It 
answers  the  purposes  of  comfortable  protection  and 
convenience,  as  well  or  even  better  than  the  most 
costly  structures.  A horse  needs  a dry,  well- venti- 
lated apartment,  and  enjoys  fresh  air,  daylight,  and 
sunlight  as  well  as  human  beings.  Unless  these  very 
inexpensive  wants  are  provided,  no  compensation  is 
afforded  by  elaborate  detail  and  workmanship. 


DESIGN  No.  18. 

SCHOOL  HOUSE  AT  IRVINGTON,  ON  THE  HUDSON. 

Our  architectural  series  would  be  by  no  means  com- 
plete if  devoted  entirely  to  dwellings  ; and  as  the  re- 
sources of  an  extensive  professional  practice  in  the 
arts  which  embellish  and  beautify  our  country  may 
be  largely  made  use  of,  we  present  here  a design  for 
another  class  of  buildings, 

A school-house  is  not  a building  which  every  one 
contemplates  erecting,  and  yet  a large  proportion  are, 
or  ought  to  he,  interested  in  developing  in  structures  of 
this  class  such  architectural  principles  as  shall  make 
their  impressions  in  early  life,  and  influence  future, 
tastes. 


woodward’s  country  homes.  89 

This  building  is  designed  to  accommodate  about  fifty 
scholars,  being  25  by  40  feet,  with  a front  projection 
10  by  18  feet.  In  the  basement  a large  furnace  and 
abundant  accommodation  for  coal.  The  main  floor  is 
divided  into  school-room,  two  recitation  rooms,  hat 
and  coat  room,  wash  closet  with  sink,  and  water 
closet,  above  which  is  a large  tank,  supplied  from  the 
roof.  An  outside  cistern  supplies  cool  drinking-wa- 
ter, the  purest  and  healthiest  water  known,  and  ren- 
ders the  use  of  ice  unnecessary  in  summer.  The 
height  of  all  these  ceilings  is  nearly  fourteen  feet,  and 
each  room  is  thoroughly  ventilated  ; the  belfry  is  pro- 
vided with  a one  hundred  pound  hell  ; indeed,  nothing 
has  been  left  undone  that  is  calculated  to  promote  the 
health  and  comfort  of  the  pupils. 

The  partition  between  the  doors  to  the  recitation 
rooms  is  made  in  sections,  and  can  he  easily  removed, 
thus  making  one  large  room  for  exhibition  and  lecture 
purposes.  The  stage,  in  this  case  is  to  be  placed  at 
the  left  end  of  the  room.  The  capacity  of  the  build- 
ing can  be  nearly  doubled  by  occupying  the  entire  floor 
as  a school-room,  and  building  an  addition  12  by  24 
feet  directly  in  the  rear,  opposite  to  the  front  pro- 
jection, for  recitation  rooms. 

The  situation  of  this  building  at  Irvington,  on  the 
Hudson,  some  twenty-five  miles  above  the  city  oi 
New  York,  is  in  a charming,  healthy,  and  delightful 


90 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


locality  ; one  made  famous  by  the  pen  and  residence 
of  Washington  Irving,  and  noted  for  its  magnificent 
scenery,  its  views  of  river  and  mountain,  and  the  fine 
taste  displayed  in  landscape  and  architectural  embel- 
lishments by  those  who  have  made  their  homes  in 
this  vicinity. 

We  have  always  thought  that  those  educational  in- 
stitutions possess  the  most  attractions  that  are  so 
situated  that  all  surroundings  shall  have  a favorable 
influence  ; and  there  is  nothing  like  example  in  early 
training.  Bring  up  and  educate  a boy  among  those 
who  know  nothing  of  the  refinements  of  life,  away 
from  the  progressive  examples  ot  art  and  taste,  in  a 
tumble -down,  unplastered,  ill-heated  and  ventilated 
apartment,  and  he  never  can  become,  with  all  the  aid 
of  books  and  teachers,  as  thoroughly  cultivated  and 
fitted  for  the  duties  of  life,  as  one  who  has  enjoyed 
associations  of  a higher  order.  School  architecture 
has  a meaning  in  it ; there  is  value  in  proportion,  har- 
mony, beauty,  light  and  shade,  as  applied  to  school 
buildings,  that  is  not  comprehended  by  all.  A recent 
writer  says  better  than  we  can  say  it,  that. u It  is  the 
duty  of  teachers,  as  well  as  parents  and  school  com- 
mittees, to  see  that  the  circumstances  under  which 
children  study  are  such  as  shall  leave  a happy  impres- 
sion upon  their  minds  ; for  whatever  is  brought  under 
the  frequent  observation  of  the  young  must  have  it* 


woodward’s  country  homes.  91 

influence  upon  their  susceptible  natures  for  good  or 
evil.  Shabby  school-houses  induce  slovenly  habits. 
Ill-constructed  benches  may  not  only  distort  the  body, 
but,  by  reflex  influence,  the  mind  as  well.  Conditions 
like  these  seldom  fail  to  disgust  the  learner  with  his 
school,  and  neutralize  the  best  efforts  of  his  teachers. 


On  the  other  hand,  neat,  comfortable  places  for  study 
may  help  to  awaken  the  associations  enchaining  the 
mind  and  the  heart  to  learning  and  virtuous  instruc- 
tion with  links  of  gold  brightening  forever.” 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


93 


DESIGN  No.  19. 

This  design  was  prepared  for  erection  in  the  vicinity 
of  Goshen,  Orange  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  the  accommodation 

limited  to  a price  not  exceeding — . It  presents 

in  hall,  verandas,  and  large  parlor,  some  of  the  very 
' necessary  attractions  of  a country  house,  and  is  a good 
example  of  what  can  be  done  for  a limited  sum. 
While  the  plan  is  a parallelogram,  and  the  roof  free 
from  hips  and  valleys,  the  general  arrangement  is  such 
as  to  show  considerable  variety  in  outline,  and  one, 
we  think,  that  will  have  a pleasing  effect. 

Such  houses,  erected  in  the  vicinity  of  New  York, 
and  many  of  our  large  cities,  would  add  a large  value 
to  the  ground  they  stand  on,  and  pay  a handsome  rate 
of  interest  on  their  cost  ; better  than  any  other  class 
of  building  investments,  as  the  supply  is  in  nowise 
equal  to  the  demand.  It  is  so  simple  a matter,  with 
present  prompt  and  rapid  railroad  facilities,  to  invite 
a fair  proportion  of  the  young  business  men  of  our 
large  cities  to  make  their  homes  in  the  adjoining 
country,  that  we  wonder  capitalists  and  real  estate 
owners  do  not  more  frequently  make  money  for  them- 
selves and  others  by  erecting  tasteful,  low-priced  sub- 
urban homes. 


94 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


In  former  times,  a house  of  this  class  erected  in  the 
country,  would  be  painted  exteriorly  a pure  white,  with 
no  relief,  except  probably  in  the  violent  contrast  of 
bright  green  Venetian  blinds  to  the  windows.  This 
sort  of  taste  unfortunately  still  remains,  although  in 
the  progress  of  rural  taste  and  art,  the  country  is 
much  improved  in  this  respect. 


Fig.  58. — Cellar. 


There  is  a variety  of  colors,  known  as  neutral  tints, 
which  are  suitable  for  exteriors,  and  the  effect  pro- 
duced by  them  is  altogether  pleasing,  while  a house 
painted  white  can  never  be  an  agreeable  object  in  any 
landscape,  however  admirable  its  architectural  propor- 
tions and  finish  may  be. 


woodward's  country  homes. 


95 


The  tone  of  color  for  a house  will  depend  upon  its 
size;  form,  and  situation,  and  it  often  requires  a nice 
and  cultivated  eye  to  determine  what  would  be  most 
appropriate  and  effective. 

For  such  a house  as  this,  we  should  choose  a light 
fawn  color — not  yellow — and  paint  the  cornice,  win- 
dow-frames and  other  projecting  and  ornamental  parts 


two  or  three  shades  darker  than  the  body  of  the  build- 
ing. This  will  give  a depth  of  shadow  and  expression 
which  cannot  be  obtained  in  any  other  wTay. 

Large  houses,  with  massive  features  of  construction, 
will  bear  to  be  painted  with  darker  colors,  but  they 
should  not  be  too  sombre,  so  as  to  give  a gloomy  ap- 
pearance to  the  house.  The  country,  with  its  bright 


96 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


3unstiine,  its  rich  adornments  of  flowers,  and  its  num- 
berless forms  of  beauty  and  grace,  is  eminently  cheer- 
ful. It  often  happens  that  the  painter  does  all  he  can 


to  mar  this  cheerfulness  and  beauty,  by  startling  con- 
trasts of  colors,  and  by  destroying  the  harmony  which 
pervades  the  landscape. 


DESIGN  No.  20. 

A COUNTRY  CHAPEL. 

We  present  in  this  design  a plan  for  a substantial 
and  permanent  chapel,  having  capacity  for  seating 
about  four  hundred.  For  the  purpose  for  which  it 


woodward's  country  homes. 


98 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


was  designed,  no  distinct  cliancel  was  required.  Such 
a chancel  could  he  arranged,  if  desired,  in  a recess 
taken  off  the  lecture  or  class  room  in  the  rear  of  the 
chapel.  It  could  he  lighted  at  the  roof,  or  on  the 
sides. 

This  chapel,  built  of  stone  throughout,  with  an 
open  timber  roof  and  stained  glass  windows,  would  bo 


an  ornament  to  any  country  locality,  and  a credit  to 
the  taste  and  liberality  of  those  who  built  it. 

Every  thing  about  such  a chapel  should  be  real , 
and  no  suspicion  of  sham  or  unreality  should  be  tol- 
erated in  any  part  of  the  work.  The  practice  of  build- 
ing the  fronts  of  churches  of  stone,  while  the  side  and 
rear  walls  are  constructed  of  rough  brick,  painted  and 
marked  off  to  resemble  the  stone,  is  very  common,  we 


woodward’s  country  homes.  99 

know,  both  in  town  and  country,  but  it  is  a species 
of  deceit  and  false  pretence  which  ought  not  to  be. 
If  the  best  and  costliest  material  cannot  be  used  for 
the  entire  structure,  let  the  rougher  and  inferior  ma- 
terial be  fairly  shown,  in  every  part.  If  the  means 
and  liberality  of  the  parish  cannot  provide  oak  or  wal- 
nut for  the  interior  finish,  let  the  wood  work  be 
plainly  painted,  or  what  is  better  still,  simply  oiled, 
but  there  should  be  no  cunning  deception  of  graining, 
to  represent  the  costlier  wood.  It  is  not  honest , and, 
we  take  it,  a church,  built  for  religious  worship,  is 
the  last  place  that  should  betray  our  human  meanness 
and  want  of  honesty. 


DESIGN  No.  21. 

« 

We  show  in  this  design  what  can  be  done  with  a 
substantial  old  farm  house;  how  easily  and  beautiful- 
ly it  can  be  changed  into  a suburban  home  of  elegant 
exterior,  and  comfortable  and  convenient  interior  ap- 
pointments. 

This  class  of  spacious  and  substantial  farm  houses, 
with  the  gambrel,  curb,  or  Mansard  roof,  as  shown  in 
Fig  63,  is  very  numerous  about  the  suburbs  of  New 


100 


WOODWARD  S COUNTRY  HOMES. 


Fig.  63. — View  of  the  House  at  the  time  of  Purchase. 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


101 


Fig.  64 .—The  same  remodeled . 


302 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


York  City,  and  more  particularly  in  the  “ neighboring 
province  of  New  Jersey,”  where  one  finds  thepi  nest- 
led in  the  valleys  or  by  the  road  side,  as  best  fitting  to 
the  taste  of  our  early  Dutch  settlers,  who  prized  se- 
clusion and  protection  above  bleak  exposure  and  far- 
reaching  views. 

As  a general  thing,  the  better  cla-ss  of  New  Jersey 
farm  houses  of  this  type  were  built  of  squared  and 
hammered  red  sand-stone,  laid  up  in  regular  courses, 


and  in  many  instances  the  character  of  the  work  dif- 
fered on  all  sides,  the  front  being  the  most  finely 
finished.  And  in  many  of  the  most  pretentious  of 
these  houses,  brick  was  substituted  for  the  front,  as 
being  less  common 

There  is,  perhaps,  nothing  more  difficult  in  an  ar- 
chitect’s experience  than  to  make  a fine  thing  out  of 
a subject  so  destitute  of  beauty  of  form  or  proportion, 


woodward’s  country  homes.  103 

and  yet  preserve  the  substantial  walls  and  other  be' 
longings,  that  have  stood  for  half  a century,  and  are 
now  stronger,  and  promise  a durability  that  exceeds 
those  of  other  houses  built  in  this  progressive  age; 
and  yet  here  is  a “presto  change”  that  will  almost 
defy  the  keen  eyes  of  the  old  settlers  to  recognize  any 
trace  of  the  ancient  landmark  that  for  fifty  years  has 
overlooked  the  beautiful  valley  of  the  Tenakill. 

There  are  very  many  of  these  old  houses  that  are 
equally  well  adapted  to  wear  a modern  face,  though  but 


t ig.  06. 


few  purchasers  can  look  through  all  such  changes  with 
the  eye  of  a professional  expert,  and  select  that  to 
which,  at  a low  price,  a certain  beauty  can  be  added, 
which,  when  done,  shall  indicate  the  wisdom  of  their 
choice.  First  impressions  many  times  are  sadly 
against  all  hopes  of  success. 

“ With  veather-stains  upon  the  wall, 

And  stairways  worn,  and  crazy  doors?. 

And  creaking  and  uneven  floors, 

And  chimneys  huge,  and  tiled  and  tall.” 


But  these  difficulties  are  the  least  troublesome  to 


104 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


adjust,  if  the  walls  are  good,  and  ceilings  of  a fail 
modern  height.  It  may  then  be  a better  choice  to 
adapt  such  a house  to  the  present  cultivated  tastes 
and  requirements,  than  to  build  anew  from  the  foun- 
dation. 

In  the  plans,  the  dotted  lines  show  ihe  centers  of 
the  old  partitions.  Six  feet  have  been  added  to  the 
length  of  the  wing,  thus  improving  the  kitchen  ac- 
commodations. 

This  house  is  situated  some  fifteen  miles  from  the 
great  commercial  metropolis,  on  one  of  the  new  lines 
of  Railroad,  and  in  a locality  of  easy  access  to  New 
York  business  men. 


DESIGN  No.  22. 

This  stable  may  be  constructed  either  of  wood,  or 
of  stone.  It  contains  stalls  for  four  horses,  and  affords 
space  for  their  accomodation,  together  with  a harness 
room  and  a tool  closet.  This  latter  is  a convenience 
very  essential  to  the  comfort  of  the  owner,  as  well  a3 
to  the  proper  care  and  preservation  of  such  imple- 


woodward's  country  homes. 


105 


Fig.  67. — Stable. 


5* 


106 


woodward’s  country  homes 


merits  as  belong  especially  to  the  carriage  house  and 
stable. 

This  building  should  be  surrounded  and  screened 
with  fruit  trees  and  shrubbery,  and  then,  with  its  evi- 
dent architectural  effects,  it  will  become  an  attractive 
feature  in  the  landscape  of  which  it  becomes  a part, 
with  the  other  accessories  of  the  elegant  country  home. 


DESIGN  No.  23. 

FENCES. 

In  spite  of  all  laws  to  the  contrary,  cattle  will  in- 
trude upon  one’s  property,  and  each  and  all  must  at 
great  expense  build  and  maintain  fences  for  their  own 
protection.  There  has  not  as  yet  been  devised  any 
practicable  mode  by  which  the  enormous  sums  annual- 
ly spent  in  fencing  might  be  saved.  The  theory  ad- 
vanced, that  it  is  cheaper  for  each  to  fence  his  cattle 
in,  than  to  fence  his  neighbor’s  out,  has  not  as  yet 
been  practically  illustrated,  if  we  except  a few  subur- 
ban localities. 

Fig.  69  represents  a substantial  fence,  with  a pan- 
eled base,  of  simple  construction,  and  yet  quite  effective 


woodward’s  country  homes 


107 


Fig.  70. 


108 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


in  appearance.  In  Fig.  70  the  work  is  somewhat 
more  elaborate,  while  the  base  is  of  stone,  or  brick. 
Each  engraving  shows  two  panels,  with  a gate  in  the 
centre. 

With  chestnut  or  cedar  posts,  the  pickets  cut  from 
1 2 inch  plank,  and  the  whole  kept  painted,  such  a 
fence  would  last  many  years. 


DESIGN  No.  24. 

RESIDENCE  OF  CHARLES  F.  PARK,  ESQ. 

This  residence  of  which  we  show  only  the  floor 
plans,  occupies  a commanding  position  on  the  northern 
end  of  the  Palisades,  on  the  western  side  ol  the  Hud- 
son, some  twenty  miles  above  the  city  of  New  York, 
the  river,  mountain,  and  inland  views  from  which  are 
exceedingly  fine,  embracing  the  villages  of  Dobbs’ 
Ferry,  Irvington,  Tarrytown,  Sing  Sing,  Piermont, 
Nyack,  and  Tappan,  as  well  as  Tappan  Zee  and 
Haverstraw  Bay,  the  distant  Highlands  of  the  Hud- 
son, and  the  beautiful  valleys  of  the  Sparkill  and  the 
Hackensack,  a section  of  country  rich  in  historic  asso- 
ciations, and  highly  appreciated  by  those  who  seek 
suburban  homes. 


woodward's  country  homes. 


109 


This  house  was  designed  principally  ior  a summer 
residence,  being  nearly  fifty  feet  square,  with  wide 
halls  and  spacious  verandah,  and  commodious  and 
well  ventilated  sleeping  apartments,  the  plans  show- 
ing the  arrangement  of  rooms.  The  style  of  archi- 


tecture selected  is  that  generally  known  as  the  Rural 
Gothic,  which,  perhaps,  is  the  most  useful  and  most 
beautiful  of  any  that  are  adapted  to  the  requirements 
of  our  climate.  The  almost  square  form  of  the  plan 
is  one  of  the  most  difficult  to  treat  successfully  in  this 
style,  yet  has  been  carried  out  in  the  most  satisfactory 
manner.  This  style  admits  of  an  almost1  never-end- 


110 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


Fig.  72. — Second  Floor. 


woodward's  country  homes. 


Ill 


ing  variety  of  form  and  proportion,  and  in  effects  of 
light  and  shadow  at  all  hours  of  day  is  unequaled. 
Its  comparative  expense  but  little  exceeds  the  hipped 
and  Mansard  roofs. 

The  building  is  constructed  in  the  most  thorough 
and  workman-like  manner,  and  is  as  well  adapted  for 
a winter  residence  as  for  summer.  The  frame  is  built 
in  the  balloon  style,  (the  strongest  known  form  of 
framing,)  with  deep  studding  filled  in  with  brick, 
having  double  air  chambers,  is  thoroughly  finished 
throughout,  is  covered  with  a slate  roof,  and  fulfills 
all  the  requirements  of  a substantial  and  commodious 
country  residence. 


DESIGN  No.  25, 

CARRIAGE  HOUSE  AND  STABLE. 

The  accompanying  design  for  a carriage  house  and 
stable  affords  about  the  same  amount  of  accommoda- 
tion as  Design  22.  The  arrangement,  however,  is  some- 
what different,  and  the  exterior  quite  unlike  it.  In 
this  plan  the  portion  appropriated  to  the  stalls  is 
more  ample,  and  .the  means  for  ventilation  abundant. 


112 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


Fig.  74. — Stable. 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


113 


DESIGN  No.  26. 

RESIDENCE  OF  THOS.  H.  STOUT,  ESQ., 

IRVINGTON,  ON  THE  HUDSON. 

Irvington  is  a noted  locality  for  the  higher  grades 
of  country  homes,  there  being  many  fine  examples  of 
substantial,  roomy,  and  elegantly  appointed  mansions. 
Far  within  the  gradually  extending  circle  which 
limits  the  daily  intercourse  of  the  business  man  to 
the  city  of  New  York,  it  has  become,  in  virtue  of  its 
position,  healthfulness,  fine  scenery,  and  ease  of 
access,  one  of  the  most  favored  of  the  suburbs  of  this 
city;  a city  whose  rapid  increase  of  population  and 
corresponding  decreasing  comforts  in  conveyance  from 
one  portion  to  another,  is  turning  the  attention  of 
those  who  like  ease  of  transit,  and  the  quiet  and 
health  of  the  country,  to  a residence  among  its  beau- 
tiful and  attractive  suburbs.  What  the  last  ten  years 
have  accomplished  in  introducing  rapid  and  reliable 
communication,  and  building  up  and  improving  the 
country  about  New  York,  will  probably  be  repeated 
several  times  over  in  the  next  decade.  An  impetus 
has  been  given  to  rural  life,  that  will  increase  with 
every  facility  that  is  offered,  and  it  will  not  be  many 
years  before  the  suburbs  of  New  York  will  compare 
with  any  city  in  the  world;,  and  we  question,  even 
now,  if  elsewhere  can  be  found  a suburban  locality 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


114 


Fig.  76 — Residence  of  Thos.  H.  Stout , Esq.,  Irvington,  on  the  Hudson . 


woodward's  country  homes.  115 

comparable  with  the  east  bank  of  the  Hudson,  from 
New  York  to  the  Highlands. 

The  accompanying  engravings  illustrate  a country 
house  that  embraces  many  of  the  best  features  of 
exterior  variety,  and  interior  compactness  and  conve- 
nience. The  workmanship  and  materials  throughout 
have  been  of  the  best  description,  and  no  pains  have 
been  spared  to  make  it  first  class  in  every  respect. 

Situated  on  the  slope  of  the  eastern  bank  of  the 
Hudson,  it  overlooks  the  broad  expanse  of  “ Tappan 
Zee,"  and  commands  the  views  peculiar  to  this 
locality,  that  reach  from  the  Highlands  to  the  ocean. 

To  build  well,  and  to  do  so  at  a low  price,  is  always 
desirable ; and  to  build  artistically,  imposingly,  at- 
tractively, does  not  imply  elaborate  finish  or  profuse 
ornament.  Sand  paper  and  decoration  will  never 
make  an  ill-proportioned  building  attractive  to  an 
educated  taste,  while  a rough  exterior  of  harmonious 
lines  and  forms  will  pass  current  with  those  who  have 
an  eye  to  the  artistic. 

One  of  the  most  important  lessons  that  the  art 
student  learns  is  that  of  effect;  that  effects  can  not 
be  produced  by  smoothly  finished  surfaces  or  details: 
and  that  in  architecture,  as  well  as  in  sculpture  or 
painting,  there  must  be  a strong  bold  manner  of  ex- 
ecution. when  there  is  a desire  to  convey  an  impres- 
sion of  strength  or  power. 


116 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


Where  stone  is  conveniently  obtained  as  a building 
material,  its  use  in  rural  architecture  deserves  far 
more  consideration  than  is  usually  bestowed  on  it; 
and  in  its  unchiselled,  quarried  form  it  becomes  desir- 
able in  an  economical  point  of  view.  There  is  an 
imposing  grandeur  in  the  unhewn  stone  that  asserts 
its  presence  in  both  near  and  distant  views,  and,  with 
the  proper  combinations  of  proportion,  and  light  and 


shade,  will  illustrate  the  finest  architectural  effects. 
Prevailing  prejudises  are  too  apt  to  consider  it  not 
only  cheap,  but  inferior  in  protection  and  durability 
to  finely  wrought  surfaces  and  smooth,  close-fitting 
joints.  We  are  too  apt  to  estimate  the  value  and 
beauty  of  a stone  house  by  the  amount  of  labor 
lavished  on  its  exterior,  as  if  the  chisel  possessed  the 
power  to  make  the  joints  more  impenetrable,  and 


Fig.  77. — Cellar. 


woodward's  country  homes. 


117 


bestowed  an  endurance  commensurate  with  the  story 
of  expense  that  it  tells.  So  long  as  we  build  well  and 
honestly,  with  a proper  regard  to  protection  from  the 
weather,  in  a substantial  and  workmanlike  manner, 
good  taste  and  sound  sense  will  uphold  the  use  of 
quarried  rock,  and  discover  a permanent  strength  and 
power  in  this  Cyclopean  masonry  that  elaborately 


finished  surfaces  and  delicately  wrought  ornaments 
fail  to  express.  * 

Dressed  in  squared  blocks  and  hammered  lines, 
stone  becomes  an  expensive  building  material,  and 
preference  is  then  given  to  something  else  less  costly ; 
but  if  used  in  its  quarried  form,  irregular  in  size  and 
shape,  it  becomes,  wherever  conveniently  obtained, 
among  the  economical  materials  used  for  building, 
and  is  unsurpassed  for  its  impressiveness  and  dura- 
bility. 4 No  paint  is  required  to  preserve  it  from  the 


118 


WOODWARD'S  country  homes. 


weather,  and  no  color  is  so  good  as  the  color  of  the 
stone;  time  softens  its  tints,  and  the  clambering  vine 
that  lays  hold  of  the  massive  walls  is  a decoration 
beyond  the  resources  of  architecture. 

“If  a building,’'  says  Mr.  Buskin,  “be  under  the 
mark  of  average  magnitude,  it  is  not  in  our  power  to 
increase  its  apparent  size  by  any  proportionate  dimi- 
nution in  the  scale  of  its  masonry;  but  it  may  be 


often  in  our  power  to  give  it  a certain  nobility  by 
building  it  of  massy  stones,  or,  at  all  events,  intro- 
ducing such  into  its  make.  Thus  it  is  impossible 
that  there  should  ever  be  majesty  in  a cottage  built  of 
brick;  but  there  is  a marked  element  of  sublimity  in 
the  rude  and  irregular  piling  of  the  rocky  walls  of  the 
mountain  cottages  of  Wales,  Cumberland,  and  Scot- 
land. 

“And  if  the  nobility  of  this  confessed  and  .natural 


woodward’s  country  homes.  119 

masonry  were  more  commonly  felt,  we  should  not  lose 
the  dignity  of  it  by  smoothing  surfaces  and  fitting 
joints.  The  sums  which  we  waste  in  chiselling  and 
polishing  stones,  which  would  have  been  better  left  as 
they  came  from  the  quarry,  would  often  raise  a build- 
ing a story  higher. 

“ There  is  also  a magnificence  in  the  natural  cleav- 
age of  the  stone  to  which  the  art  must  indeed  be  great, 
that  pretends  to  be  equivalent;  and  a stern  expression 
of  brotherhood  with  the  mountain  heart  from  which 
it  has  been  rent,  ill-exchanged  for  a glistering  obedi- 
ence to  the  rule  and  measure  of  men.  His  eye  must 
be  delicate  indeed  who  would  desire  to  see  the  Pitti 
Palace  polished.” 


DESIGN  No.  27. 

A CHAPTER  ON  GATES. 

We  present  in  the  following  designs,  several  illus- 
trations of  the  principle  of  the  truss  applied  to 
wooden  gates.  It  was  described  by  us,  several  years 
ago  in  the  Country  Gentleman. 

Since  then,  in  our  professional  rambles,  we  have 
accidentally  noticed  some  thirty  gates  erected  after 


120 


woodward's  country  homes. 


woodward’s  country  homes, 


121 


12? 


woodward's  country  homes. 


Fig. 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


123 


124 


WOODWARD  S COUNTRY  HOMES. 


these  designs  in  different  sections  of  the  country,  and, 
for  aught  we  know  to  the  contrary,  it  is  one  of  the 
most  popular  gates  that  swing.  The  principle  of  this 
gate  is  best  shown  in  figure  80,  and  consists  of  four 


Fig.  84. 


panels  of  braces  crossing  each  other,  and  held  firmly 
in  position  by  five  iron  rods,  which  can  be  tightened 
by  the  screws  at  the  bottom.  The  braces  are  not 
tenoned,  and  there  are  no  nails  about  the  gate.  There 


can  be  no  sagging  under  any  circumstances  ; but 
should  such  a thing  occur  from  unequal  shrinkage,  it 
can  easily  be  remedied  by  placing  a thin  strip  of  wood 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


125 


or  sheet  lead  under  the  foot  of  the  braces  running 
forward.  There  is  economy  in  the  construction  of 
these  gates,  as  they  can  be  made  with  a less  number  of 


joints,  and  greater  strength  and  stiffness  secured  with 
lighter  materials,  than  in  any  other  style  of  gate  we 
know  of.  The  principle  is  the  one  used  in  railroad 


bridges  and  roofs  of  great  span,  and  our  own  experi- 
ence with  them,  having  built  and  tested  all  the  gates 


126 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


here  illustrated,  is,  that  they  possess  very  decided 
merits. 

Fig.  81  is  the  principal  entrance  gate  to  one  of  the 
finest  estates  on  the  Hudson,  above  Tarrytown,  and 
although  similar  in  appearance  to  figure  82,  has  some 
very  decided  differences,  the  cross  ‘braces  in  this  case 
reaching  only  to  a second  rail;  the  rods,  however,  pass 
through  to  the  bottom;  it  is  much  more  elaborate  in 


workmanship,  and  the  addition  of  a moulding  on  the 
top  and  bottom  would  increase  its  effect. 

Fig.  84  is  the  entrance  gate  at  the  Hew  Windsor, 
N.  Y.,  Parsonage,  and  has  been  hanging  six  years 
without  a perceptible  change.  The  braces  in  this  are 
one  inch  square  and  doubled;  they  are  not  halved,  but 
cross  each  other,  two  one  way  and  one  the  other,  in 
the  manner  shown  in  figure  85. 


woodward's  country  homes.  127 

There  is  no  other  mode  of  constructing  gates  in 
which  rustic  work  can  be  made  such  good  use  of.  The 
chief  objection  to  all  things  made  in  the  rustic  manner 
is,  that  they  soon  fall  to  pieces,  limbs  shrink  and 
twist,  and  nails  do  not  hold;  but  a rustic  gate  held 
together  by  iron  rods  will  remain  good  until  the  last 
brace  has  decayed. 

Fig.  86  is  the  principal  entrance  gate  to  one  of  the 
most  finely  finished  country  seats  on  Newburgh  Bay. 

Figs.  87,  88,  and  89,  illustrate  a novel  style  of  hinge, 
peculiarly  adapted  to  this  gate,  and  is  really  stronger 
than  any  other.  It  requires  less  iron  and  less  black- 
smith work. 

Fig.  87  shows  the  top  hinge  corner,  and  figure  88 
the  bottom  hinge  corner.  The  iron  which  secures 
this  end  of  the  gate,  passes  through  both  top  and 
bottom  hinge,  and  hinds  them  and  the  gate  securely 
together.  The  additional  fastenings  for  hinge  are 
made  with  carriage-bolts.  Nothing  but  a power  be- 
yond the  enormous  tensile  strength  of  iron  and  the 
compressible  strength  of  wood,  will  cause  the  gates  to 
yield  in  ordinary  use. 

Fig.  89  is  a perspective  view  of  the  hinge,  showing 
how  it  may  he  counter-sunk,  and  thus  almost  entirely 
concealed.  Figs.  80,  81,  82,  and  83,  also  show  the 
hinge,  and  four  different  styles  of  stone  gate  piers. 

Fig.  90  is  intended  for  a farm  gate.  The  cross  rails 


128 


WOODWARD  S COUNTRY  HOMES. 


woodward's  country  homes.  129 

are  secured  by  carriage-bolts  passed  through  them  and 
the  main  braces.  Each  end  of  the  gate  has  an  iron 
rod  only,  which  is  made  heavier  than  the  others,  and 
saves  framing.  The  hinge  is  made  by  having  the  iron 
rod  project  beyond  the  bolt  head  and  nut,  and  the 
upper  end  is  passed  into  an  eye,  as  shown  in  Fig.  91, 
which  is  screwed  into  the  post;  the  lower  end  is 
pointed,  and  is  placed  in  a stone  as  shown,  or  it  may 
rest  on  solid  iron  of  similar  form  to  the  eye.  Any 


Fig.  91. 


intelligent  laborer,  with  an  axe  and  auger,  can,  with 
the  iron  work,  make  these  farm  gates. 

This  principle  of  constructing  gates  admits  of  an 
infinite  variety  of  designs;  those  given  are  merely 
suggestive.  It  admits  of  all  classes  of  workmanship, 
from  the  plainest  to  the  most  elaborate,  from  the 
simplest  farm  gate  to  those  required  for  the  finished 
park,  and  in  beauty,  strength,  and  economy  stands 
unequaled. 

Fig.  92  and  93. — Plan  and  elevation  of  an  entrance 
gate,  which  we  have  executed  in  oak,  and  presents  an 
effective  appearance. 


6* 


130 


woodward's  country  homes. 


Fig.  93. — Plan. 


woodward's  country  homes. 


131 


DESIGN  No.  28 

RESIDENCE  OF  TRISTRAM  ALLEN,  ESQ., 

KAVENSWOOD,  N.  Y. 

The  accompanying  view  of  Mr.  Allen's  house  is  a 
good  example  of  the  method  of  adding  to  a dwelling 
which  has  ceased  to  he  of  sufficient  capacity  for  the 
requirements  of  the  family.  By  reference  to  the  base- 
ment or  cellar  plan,  the  outline  of  the  old  house  and 
the  foundation  of  the  new  will  be  distinctly  seen.  The 
addition  transforms  the  cottage  to  a villa,  and  in  a 
manner  which  preserves  the  proportions  as  harmo- 
niously as  if  the  whole  had  been  erected  at  one  time 
and  from  one  plan,  thus  illustrating  a prominent  ad- 
vantage in  this  style  of  architecture,  which  admits 
more  freely  than  any  other,  successive  additions,  which, 
when  properly  designed,  add  to  the  variety  of  outline, 
and  its  beauty  of  light  and  shade.  The  different  floor 
plans  show  the  arrangements  of  rooms  and  their  con- 
nection with  the  original  building,  which,  it  will  be 
seen,  are  convenient  and  compact. 

Ravenswood  is  one  of  the  most  elegant  of  the 
suburbs  of  New  York,  being  near  at  hand,  and  having 
freouent  and  rapid  communication  with  the  city. 
Situated  on  the  Long  Island  shore,  opposite  the  centre 


132 


woodward's  country  homes. 


Fig.  94. — Perspective. 


WOODWARD  S COUNTRY  HOMES, 


133 


Fig.  97. — Sec  nd  Floor. 


134  woodward's  country  homes. 

of  Manhattan  Island,  overlooking  the  great  metropolis 
and  its  outlying  cities,  of  easy  access  to  the  Central 
Park  by  the  Hell  Gate  Ferry,  amid  all  the  refinement 


of  fine  gardens,  polished  landscape  scenery,  and  archi- 
tectural taste,  it  presents  at  once  all  the  enjoyments 
that  a combination  of  city  and  country  life  can  afiord. 


DESIGN  No.  29. 

RESIDENCE  OF  LINDLEY  M.  FERRIS,  ESQ., 

NEAR  POUGHKEEPSIE,  N.  Y. 

The  residence  of  Mr.  Ferris,  of  which  we  give  the 
plans  only,  is  located  south  of  the  city  of  Pough- 
keepsie, and  almost  or  quite  within  its  suburbs.  The 
surrounding  estate,  of  150  acres  of  handsomely  rolling 
land,  posesses  all  the  attractions  of  beauty  and  fer- 
tility so  generally  awarded  to  the  finer  portions  of 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


135 


Dutchess  county.  In  the  immediate  vicinity  are  some 
of  the  highly  finished  and  well-kept  country  seats 
which  adorn  this  portion  of  the  Hudson,  and  make  up 
the  attractions  which  taste  and  refinement  always  add 
to  country  life. 


The  object  aimed  at  in  the  design  of  this  house, 
was  that  of  a substantial  and  commodious  mansion, 
suited  to  the  requirements  of  a large  family,  and  that 
should  express  its  purpose  in  the  simplest  maimer  at 


136  woodward's  country  homes. 

a moderate  expense.  It  was  therefore  desirable  to 
avoid  all  costly  irregularity  of  form,  and  all  the  fanci- 
ful varieties  of  gimcracks. 

The  style  selected  as  best  illustrating  this  purpose 
is  the  Chateau  roof,  Louis  XV  style;  the  main  build- 
ing being  43  feet  square,  with  a rear  addition  25  by 
29  feet;  the  plan  illustrating  the  arrangement  ot 
rooms,  verandah,  etc.  The  first  floor  gives  double 
parlors,  (one  of  which  may  he  used  as  a bed-room  or 
library,)  a sitting-room  or  reception-room,  dining- 
room, and  a large  kitchen,  with  necessary  closets,  an 
inclosed  verandah,  water  closets,  etc.  The  second 
floor,  main  building,  gives  four  large  bed  rooms  and 
two  smaller  rooms  for  other  purposes,  and  in  the  rear 
are  four  servants'  rooms  and  a bath-room.  The  attic 
story,  main  building,  has  now  five  rooms,  finished  with 
closets,  and  two  rooms  more  can  be  added  by  putting 
up  two  partitions.  These  upper  rooms,  in  a roof  of 
this  character,  are  cool,  well  ventilated,  well  lighted, 
and  agreeable  in  warm  weather,  there  being  roomy  air 
chambers  between  the  attic  ceiling  and  the  upper  roof, 
and  also  between  the  walls  of  the  rooms  and  the  outer 
wall  of  the  house.  There  is  but  little  difference  in 
the  value  of  these  rooms  and  those  on  the  floor  below, 
except  convenience  of  access. 

The  house  is  built  of  brick,  in  a first  class  manner, 
the  lower  roof  slate,  the  upper  one  being  tin;  is 


woodward's  country  homes. 


137 


thoroughly  finished  throughout,  and  is  in  all  respects 
a convenient,  durable,  and  commanding  structure, 
giving  the  largest  amount  of  room  in  a desirable  and 
attractive  form,  with  the  most  economy  of  means.  It 


is  situated  on  a knoll  overlooking  all  the  surrounding 
grounds,  which  include  a number  of  other  fine  sites, 
one  or  two  of  which,  we  think,  even  more  desirable 
than  the  one  selected.  It  is  not,  however,  an  easy 
matter  to  choose  one  from  a dozen  sites,  each  almost 
equally  good. 


138 


woodward's  country  homes. 


A new  road  is  now  being  laid  through  these  and  the 
adjoining  premises,  to  connect  two  of  the  principal 
drives  southward  from  Poughkeepsie,  which  when 
completed,  will  add  a new  attraction  to  the  beautiful 
suburbs  of  this  city.  The  views  from  the  grounds, 
more  particularly  from  the  top  of  the  house,  are  varied 
and  extensive.  The  mountain  panorama,  which 
sweeps  three-fourths  of  the  horizon,  beginning  with 
the  Fishkill  mountains,  and  ending  with  the  Catskills, 
is  exceedingly  fine.  The  eastern  view  embraces  the 
Vassar  Female  College,  the  noble  gift  of  Matthew 
Vassar,  Esq.,  to  the  cause  of  female  education.  In 
the  foreground  and  middle  distance  are  the  rich  rolling 
landscapes  of  Dutchess  and  the  fertile  hillsides  of 
Ulster  counties,  the  glittering  spires  of  Poughkeepsie, 
the  lordly  Hudson,  and  southerly  are  seen  the  famous 
Beacons  and  the  Highland  Pass, 


“Where  Hudson’s  wave  o’er  silvery  sands 
Winds  through  the  hills  afar.” 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


139 


DESIGN  No.  30. 

MODEL  SUBURBAN  COTTAGE— IN  THE  OLD  ENGLISH 
OR  RURAL  GOTHIC  STYLE. 

BY  FREDERICK  S.  COPLEY,  ARTIST,  TOMPKINSVILLE,  S.  I. 

The  general  appearance  of  this  Cottage,  as  seen 
from  the  road,  is  shown  in  the  engraving,  (Fig.  101.) 
which  is  a perspective  view  of  the  North  and  East 
Fronts. 

It  is  situated  at  Montrose,  on  the  lake- like  shores 
of  Hempstead  Harbor,  near  the  village  of  Roslyn, 
Long  Island,  a spot  noted  for  its  beauty  and  healthful - 
ness. 

Size  of  building,  44  by  38  feet.  Principal  Plan 
(Fig.  103.)  10  feet  high.  P.  shows  a recessed  porch, 
with  double  doors  of  oak,  (oiled)  the  outer  ones  open, 
to  be  closed  only  at  night  and  stormy  weather,  behind 
the  one  on  the  right  i3  a space  for  wet  umbrellas,  &c., 
the  inner  doors  have  glazed  panels  to  give  light  within, 
and  should  always  be  closed.  Y.  is  the  vestibule, 
containing  a spiral  staircase,  with  walnut  steps  and 
rail  (oiled).  The  floor  laid  with  encaustic  tiles,  with 
ceiling  groined,  and  walls  finished  in  imitation  of 
stone  in  the  sand  coat.  On  the  left  (under  the  stairs) 
is  a private  door  opening  into  a lobby,  fitted  with 


Fig.  101 — Perspective. 


woodward’s  country  homes.  141 

wash-basin,  water,  &c.,  and  lighted  by  a narrow  win- 
dow, that  also  serves  to  light  the  front  basement 
stairs,  so  that  a servant  could  answer  a call,  at  either 
front  or  back  doors,  without  passing  through  the 
central  hall ; which  would  not  only  be  more  con- 
venient for  them,  but  would  he  to  the  family  and 
guests,  especially  in  time  of  company,  when  the  hall 
would  form  a central  room,  by  closing  the  doors  that 


lead  to  the  stairs:  nor  would  this  interfere  in  the  least 
with  the  domestics,  or  their  duties:  as  they  can  go 
from  cellar  to  attic  without  disturbing  the  privacy  of 
a single  room:  and  the  guests  could  ascend,  unseen 
to  the  dressing  rooms  above,  (from  either  entrance)  or 
depart  in  the  same  manner. 

The  hall  screen,  separating  the  vestibule,  should  be 


142  woodward's  country  homes. 

of  real  oak,  (oiled)  and  lighted  in  the  panels  with 
stained  glass,  which  would  impart  a soft  and  pleasant 
light  to  the  hall,  and  produce  a fine  effect  on  either 
side,  day  or  night.  The  hall  is  here  placed  in  the 
centre  of  the  plan,  and  so  happily  arranged  are  the 
doors  and  rooms,  as  not  only  to  give  it  a symmetrical 
effect,  but  to  unite  the  whole,  en  suite , without  dis- 
turbing the  individuality  of  either.  Also,  the  hall 
lamp  and  stove  would  light  and  warm,  equally,  every 
room,  besides  passage,  vestibule,  and  stairs.  The 
cloak  closet  is  in  the  passage  which  contains  the 
back  stairs. 

P.  is  the  Parlor,  which  would  be  the  favorite  living 
room  in  the  summer,  as  it  faces  the  north,  and  has  a 
large  bay-window  commanding  a fine  view  down  the 
harbor  to  the  sound. 

L,  is  the  Library,  and  living  room,  connected  with 
the  parlor  by  sliding  doors,  with  recessed  book-cases, 
on  each  side,  and  the  same  on  the  sides  of  the  bay- 
window,  here  facing  the  south,  and  possessing  a 
beautiful  view  of  the  bay  and  hills,  with  the  village 
in  the  distance,  which  make  it  the  favorite  quarters 
in  winter,  being  fully  exposed  to  the  genial  influences 
of  the  sun  during  the  absence  of  foliage  at  that  season. 
On  the  right  of  the  mantel  is  a private  closet  for  plate, 
papers,  &c.,  both  these  rooms  have  windows  opening 
on  the  west  veranda,  with  a fine  view  across  the  har- 


woodward's  country  homes. 


143 


bor.  D.  is  the  Dining  room,  and  a most  cheerful  one, 
(as  it  should  be,)  with  a large  ornamental  window  on 
the  east,  admitting  the  morning  sun,  and  a fine  bay- 
window  on  the  north,  looking  down  the  road  and  har- 
bor, possessing  a charming  prospect  of  land  and  water. 
To  harmonize  with  the  bay  (on  the  other  end)  is  the 
sideboard  recess  with  a dumb-waiter  on  the  right,  and 


a china  closet  on  the  left;  on  one  side  of  the  mantel 
is  the  door  opening  into  the  lobby,  which  communi- 
cates with  the  hall,  and  basement  plan  below,  and 
fitted  with  wash-basin,  water,  &c.,  which  would  be 
found  most  convenient  to  wash  hands  or  glasses,  deli- 
cate or  valuable  articles  of  use  not  wished  to  be  trust- 
ed to  careless  servants.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  three 
bay-windows  on  this  plan,  are  of  different  forms,  and 


144 


woodward’s  country  homes 


each  fitted  with  inside  shutters.  C.  is  the  principal 
chamber,  or  boudoir,  facing  south  and  east,  with  fine 
large  windows  in  each.  The  one  on  the  south  has 
closets  on  each  side,  and  opens  into  the  conservatory, 
making  this  a most  delightful  ladies’-work-room.  It 
will  be  seen  that  all  the  rooms  on  this  floor,  although 
not  large,  are  of  the  most  comfortable  size,  perfect 
and  elegantly  proportioned,  and  arranged  with  every 
conceivable  convenience  requisite  for  the  enjoyment  of 
all  the  comforts  and  luxuries  of  life. 

Chamber  Plan  (Fig.  103.)  is  nine  feet  high,  and  in 
keeping  with  the  rest,  in  its  admirable  arrangements, 
furnishing  five  excellent  rooms,  with  a bath  room, 
convenient  to  all,  fitted  with  the  latest  improvements, 
(the  water  closet  enclosed,  and  vertical  pipes,  which 
would  make  freezing  impossible).  The  four  principal 
rooms  are  about  equal  in  size  and  attractiveness,  as 
they  possess  the  same  fine  views  as  the  corresponding 
ones  beneath,  and  each  finished  with  fire-places  and 
ample  closet  room.  The  small  room  windows  open  on 
a balcony,  with  a charming  view  of  the  bay;  and 
would  afford  an  agreeable  lounge  in  summer  evenings, 
to  enjoy  the  setting  sun,  or  cool  breeze.  All  the 
rooms  on  these  two  floors  (except  the  last)  to  be  fitted 
with  Dixon's  patent  grates,  and  Arnott’s  ventilating 
valves,  which  would  secure  sweet,  healthy,  and  warm 
rooms,  without  draughts.  The  hall,  as  will  be  seen, 


woodward’s  country  homes.  145 

is  well  lighted  and  ventilated,  not  only  by  the  stair- 
case window,  on  the  north,  but  by  the  ventilating 
sash-lights  over  the  doors  of  every-room;  the  bath 
room  door  is  also  lighted  in  the  panel  with  ground 
glass.  Between  the  doors,  on  the  east  side,  is  the  lift, 
or  dumb-waiter,  and  dust  register,  which  being  in  the 
centre  of  the  plan,  is  of  equal  convenience  to  all. 

Fig.  104.  Roof  and  attic  plan.  The  atti<? 


contains  five  good  rooms  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  servants,  storing  fruit,  trunks,  &c.,  and  drying 
clothes.  As  this  plan  has  the  same  central  arrange- 
ments as  all  the  rest,  consequently  the  same  advan- 
tages in  economy  of  space,  and  of  direct  and  easy 
access  to  every  room,  stairs,  &c.  The  landing  here  is 
lighted  in  the  same  way  as  the  hall  below,  and  by  the 
same  staircase  window,  with  the  addition  of  a large 
sky-light  and  ventilator  in  the  centre,  which  would 

keep  the  rooms  sweet  and  cool. 

7 


146  WOODWARD'S  COUNTRfY  HOMES. 

Fig.  105,  shows  the  Basement  and  Cellar  plan,  nine 
feet  high,  and  containing  every  requisite  convenience 
for  the  domestic  duties  of  a family.  As  they  are  on 
the  same  level,  and  under  the  principal  story,  the 
noise  and  smell  of  the  kitchen  would  he  excluded.  The 
garden  entrance  is  shown  by  the  steps  on  the  south- 
west corner  of  area,  which  extends  the  whole  of  the 
west  side,  round  to  the  hall  door  on  the  south;  and 
covered  by  verandah,  would  make  these  rooms  dry, 
cool,  and  pleasant,  as  they  are  but  little  below  ground, 
and  well  lighted  on  two  sides,  with  a large  bay-window 
in  each;  the  north  bay  fitted  with  wash-tubs,  as  this 
kitchen  is  intended  as  a back  one,  or  scullery,  and  for 
cooking  in  during  the  heat  of  summer,  it  has  a sink 
closet  on  the  left  of  the  fire-place,  and  dresser  and 
shelves  for  pots  and  pans  on  the  south  side,  by  which, 
is  a door  opening  into  the  basement,  and  one  out  on 
the  area.  The  basement  would  be  a cheerful  room, 
facing  the  south  with  a large  bay-window  with  seats 
and  inside  shutters,  on  the  opposite  side  is  a dresser 
fitted  with  plate  rack,  &c.  On  the  east  is  the  range 
and  pantry;  behind  the  range,  in  the  hall,  is  a warm 
closet  for  clothes,  shoes,  &c.,  and  opposite,  under  the 
stairs,  is  a dark  one,  for  potatoes.  At  the  north  end 
of  the  hall,  (and  behind  the  scullery,  fire-place,  &c.) 
is  the  furnace  room  and  front  basement  stairs.  On 
the  east  side  of  the  hall  is  the  dumb-waiter,  or  lift. 


woodward's  country  homes.  147 

The  coal  cellar  has  two  bins  placed  under  the  shoots, 
for  large  and  small  coal,  with  two  on  the  east  side  for 
ashes  and  wood.  Against  the  middle  window  is  a 
wire  gauze  safe,  for  cooked  meats,  &c.;  between  this 
and  the  wine  cellar  is  the  dairy  ; the  other  division 
is  for  stores  in  general.  All  the  partitions  are  made 
open,  so  as  to  admit  the  free  circulation  of  light  and 
air. 


Fig.  105. — Basement  and  Cellar. 


On  observing  the  relative  position  of  the  different 
doors  and  windows,  in  the  several  plans,  it  will  be 
found  that  the  house  may  be  ventilated  by  through 
drafts  in  every  direction  at  pleasure;  a luxury  to  be 
appreciated  in  the  heat  of  summer.  Also,  by  carrying 
the  lift,  or  dumb-waiter,  to  the  top  of  the  house,  and 
communicating  with  every  floor,  its  full  value  would 
be  secured,  besides  forming  a ventilating  shaft  for  the 
whole  building,  from  cellar  to  attic.  Another  valuable 


148  woodward's  country  homes. 

labor-saving  convenience  (next  to  the  water- works  and 
lift)  is  the  dust  shoot,  which  is  simply  a tin  tube, 
with  registers  in  the  floors  of  the  different  plans,  to 
sweep  the  dust  into,  from  the  rooms,  where  it  desends 
to  the  cellar,  and  is  caught  in  a barrel,  to  be  removed 
when  full.  It  is  here  placed  in  the  hall,  by  the  side 
of  the  lift,  on  every  floor,  which  by  this  central  ar- 
rangement is  at  the  door  of  every  room. 

Construction,  although  of  wood,  is  made  nearly  fire 
proof,  by  making  the  floors,  walls,  partitions  and 
stairs  solid.  The  walls  and  principal  partitions  are 
formed  of  slats  of  one  inch  thick  by  four  inches  broad, 
securely  nailed  one  on  the  other,  so  as  to  form  a one 
inch  groove  on  both  sides,  to  plaster  on.  This  forms 
a good  strong  six  inch  solid  wall,  fire  and  vermin 
proof,  and  dryer  than  any  built  of  stone  or  brick. 
The  stairs  to  have  their  skeletons  of  iron  work,  filled 
in  solid  with  cement.  The  floors  of  basement  and 
entry  to  be  of  earthenware  tiles,  the  kitchen  and  cellar 
cemented.  That  of  the  principal  plan,  (forming  the 
ceiling  of  the  basement,  &c.,  the  seat  of  danger,) 
should  be  formed  of  brick,  arched  on  iron  girders,  and 
filled  up  with  cement,  and  laid  with  larch,  (as  that 
burns  less  freely  than  any  other  wood).  The  hall, 
&c.,  to  be  laid  with  encaustic  tiles.  The  floors  of  the 
chamber  plans  should  have  their  timbers  coated  with 
plaster  paris,  and  filled  up  with  mortar  and  laid  with 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


149 


larch,  the  plastering  of  the  ceilings,  &c.,  on  wire 
gauze,  instead  of  lath;  a slate  roof,  and  the  walls  of 
the  basement  plan  of  hollow  brick,  and  plastered  on 
the  inner  surface.  By  these  simple  and  inexpensive 
means,  the  house  would  be  nearly  fire  proof,  and  life 
and  property  secure. 

The  exterior  is  covered  by  a sand  coat,  of  a cheerful 
and  rich  light  brown  ochre  tint,  it  being  the  most 
befitting  for  the  situation  and  design,  besides  possess- 
ing the  advantages  of  economy,  and  imparting  a more 
substantial  effect,  it  avoids  that  harsh  and  disagree- 
able glare  and  glisten  of  paint. 


DESIGN  No.  31. 

The  design  on  the  following  page,  for  a Head  Stone, 
was  published  by  us  in  the  May  number,  1864,  of  the 
Horticulturist.  It  attracted  the  attention  of  one 
of  our  most  intelligent  subscribers  and  valuable  con- 
tributors in  Western  New  York,  who  desired  to  set 
up,  in  their  beautiful  Cemetery,  a memorial  of  one  of 
his  household  who  “ wdio  had  gone  before.”  The 
monument  was  executed  in  this  city,  under  the  super- 


150  woodward’s  country  homes. 

vision  of  the  friend  who  furnished  the  design  for  the 
Horticulturist.  It  was  cut  from  the  Caen  stone, 
and  the  execution  was  every  way  satisfactory.  The 
gentleman  for  whom  it  was  made  says  in  a letter 
advising  of  its  safe  arrival : — “ Last  week  I had  it  set 
in  a solid  foundation,  and  my  highest  anticipations 


Fig.  106. — Head  Stone. 


are  more  than  realized.  I do  not  see  how  the  monu- 
ment could  be  better,  as  to  material,  design,  and 
inscriptions.  It.  is  unique,  yet  chaste,  highly  signifi- 
cant and  satisfactory.  I have  only  words  of  praise 
and  feelings  of  gratitude  for  a result  that  so  fully 
answers  to  my  ideal.” 


woodward’s  country  homes.  . 151 


“ BALLOON  FRAMES.” 

“ If  it  had  not  been  for  the  knowledge  of  balloon  frames,  Chicago  and  San  Fran- 
cisco would  never  have  arisen  as  they  did,  f:om  little  villages,  to  great  cities  in  a 
(single  year.” — Solon  Robinson. 

In  these  days  of  ballooning,  it  is  gratifying  to 
know  that  there  is  one  practically  useful,  well  tested 
principle,  which  has  risen  above  the  character  of  an 
experiment,  and  is  destined  to  hold  an  elevated  posi- 
tion in  the  opinions  of  the  masses.  That  principle  is 
the  one  which  is  technically,  as  well  as  sarcastically, 
termed  Balloon  Framing,  as  applied  to  the  construc- 
tion of  all  classes  of  wooden  buildings. 

The  early  history  of  the  Balloon  Frame,  is  some- 
what obscure,  there  being  no  well  authenticated  state- 
ments of  its  origin.  It  may,  however,  be  traced  back 
to  the  early  settlement  of  our  prairie  countries,  where 
it  was  impossible  to  obtain  heavy  timber  and  skillful 
mechanics,  and  the  fact  is  patent  to  any  one  who  has 
passed  through  the  pleasures  and  the  vicissitudes  of 
the  life  of  a pioneer,  that  his  own  necessities  have 
indicated  the  adoption  of  some  principle  in  construc- 
tion, that,  with  the  materials  he  has  at  hand,  shall 
fulfill  all  the  necessary  conditions  of  comfort,  strength 
and  protection.  To  these  circumstances  we  must 
award  the  early  conception  of  this  frame,  which,  with 


152 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


subsequent  additions  and  improvements,  has  led  to  its 
universal  adoption  for  buildings  of  every  class  through- 
out the  States  and  cities  of  the  West,  and  on  the 
Pacific  coast. 

The  Balloon  Frame  has  for  more  than  twenty  years 
been  before  the  building  public.  Its  success,  adapt- 
ability, and  practicability,  have  been  fully  demon- 
strated. Its  simple,  effective  and  economical  manner 
of  construction,  has  very  materially  aided  the  rapid 
settlement  of  the  West,  and  placed  the  art  of  build- 
ing, to  a great  extent,  within  the  control  of  the  pioneer. 
That  necessity,  which  must  do  without  the  aid  of  the 
mechanic  or  the  knowledge  of  his  skill,  has  developed 
a principle  in  construction  that  has  sufficient  merit  to 
warrant  its  use  by  all  who  wish  to  erect  in  a cheap 
and  substantial  manner  any  class  of  wooden  buildings. 

Like  all  successful  improvements,  which  thrive  on 
their  own  merits,  the  Balloon  Frame  has  passed 
through  and  survived  the  theory,  ridicule  and  abuse 
of  all  who  have  seen  fit  to  attack  it,  and  may  be  reck- 
oned among  the  prominent  inventions  of  the  present 
generation,  an  invention  neither  fostered  nor  developed 
by  any  hope  of  great  rewards,  but  which  plainly  and 
boldly  acknowledges  its  origin  in  necessity. 

The  increasing  value  of  lumber  and  labor,  must 
turn  the  attention  of  men  of  moderate  means  to  those 
successful  plans  which  have  demonstrated  economy  in 


woodward’s  country  homes.  153 

both5  and  at  the  same  time  preserved  the  full  qualities 
of  strength  and  security  so  generally  accorded  to  the 
old  fogy  principles  of  framing,  and  which,  we  presume 
to  say,  is  inferior  in  all  the  true  requisites  of  cheap 
and  substantial  building.  Light  sticks,  uninjured  by 


Fig.  107.--  Isometrical  Perspective  View  of  the  Balloon  Frame. 

cutting  mortices  or  tenons,  a close  -basket-like  manner 
of  construction,  short  bearings,  a continuous  support 
for  each  piece  of  timber  from  foundation  to  rafter, 
and  embracing  and  taking  advantage  of  the  practical 
fact,  that  the  tensile  and  compressible  strength  ojf 

pine  lumber  is  equal  to  one-fifth  of  that  of  wrought 

7* 


154  woodward's  country  homes. 

iron,  constitute  improvements  introduced  with  this 
frame. 

If,  in  erecting  a building,  we  can  so  use  our  mate- 
rials that  every  strain  will  come  in  the  direction  of 
the  fibre  of  some  portion  of  the  wood  work,  we  can 
make  inch  boards  answer  a better  purpose  than  foot 
square  beams,  and  this  application  of  materials  is  one 
reason  of  the  strength  of  Balloon  Frames. 


The  Balloon  Frame  belongs  to  no  one  person; 
nobody  claims  it  as  an  invention,  and  yet  in  the  art 
of  construction  it  is  one  of  the  most  sensible  improve- 
ments that  has  ever  been  made. 

That  which  has  hitherto  called  out  a whole  neigh- 
borhood, and  required  a vast  expenditure  of  labor, 
time,  and  noise,  can,  by  the  adoption  of  the  balloon 
frame,  be  done  with  all  the  quietness  and  security  of 
an  ordinary  day's  work.  A man  and  boy  can  now 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


155 


attain  the  same  results,  with  ease,  that  twenty  men 
could  on  an  old  fashioned  frame. 

The  name  of  “ Basket  Frame  ” would  convey  a 
better  impression,  but  the  name  “ Balloon”  has  long 
ago  outlived  the  derision  which  suggested  it. 

The  moment  the  foundation  is  prepared,  and  the 
bill  of  lumber  on  the  ground,  the  balloon  frame  is 
ready  to  raise,  and  a man  and  boy  can  do  all  of  it. 


Fig.  109. — Elevation  Section — manner  of  nailing — A.  corner  stud,  4 by 
4 — B.  joist , 3 by  8 — C.  stud , 2 by  4. 

The  sills  are  generally  3 inches  by  8 inches,  halved  at 
the  ends  or  corners,  and  nailed  together  with  large 
nails.  Having  laid  the  sills  upon  the  foundation,  the 
next  thing  in  order  is  to  put  up  the  studding.  Use 
4 by  4 studs  for  corners  and  door  posts,  or  spike  two 
2 by  4 studs  together,  stand  them  up,  set  them 
plumb,  and  with  stay  laths  secure  them  in  position. 
Set  up  the  intermediate  studs,  which  are  2 by  4 inches, 
and  16  inches  between  centres,  toe  or  nail  them  diag- 


156 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


onally  to  the  sill.  Then  put  in  the  floor  joists  for 
first  floor,  each  joist  to  he  placed  alongside  each  stud, 
and  nailed  to  it  and  to  the  sill.  Next  measure  the 
height  to  ceiling,  and  with  a chalk  line  mark  it 
around  the  entire  range  of  studding  ; below  the  ceil- 
ing line  notch  each  stud  one  inch  deep  and  four  inches 
wide,  and  into  this,  flush  with  the  inside  face  of  the 
studding,  nail  an  inch  strip  four  inches  wide.  This 
notch  may  be  cut  before  putting  up  the  studs.  If  the 


D 


Fig.  110. — 1).  Upper  Edge  of  Joist — E.  Stud. 


frame  be  lined  on  the  inside,  it  will  not  be  necessary 
to  notch  the  strip  into  the  studs,  but  simply  to  nail 
it  to  the  studding  ; the  object  of  notching  the  stud- 
ding is  to  present  a flush  surface  for  lathing,  as  well 
as  to  form  a shoulder  or  bearing  necessary  to  sustain 
the  second  floor  ; both  of  these  are  accomplished  by 
lining  inside  the  studding — (for  small  barns  and  out- 
buildings that  do  not  require  plastering,  nail  the  strip 
1 by  4 to  the  studding) — on  this  rests  the  joists  of  the 
second  floor,  the  ends  of  which  come  flush  to  the  out- 


woodward's  country  homes. 


157 


side  face  of  the  studding,  and  both  ends  of  each  joist 
are  securely  nailed  to  each  stud  ; the  bearing  of  the 
joist  on  the  inch  strip  below  is  close  by  the  stud, 
and  the  inch  strip  rests  on  a shoulder  or  lower  side  of 


Fig.  111. — Side  Elevation. — G.  Manner  of  splicing  sills. — F.  Manner 
of  splicing  studs. 

the  notch  cut  to  receive  it.  This  bearing  is  so  strong 
that  the  joists  will  break  before  it  would  yield. 
Having  reached  the  top  of  the  building,  each  stud  is 
sawed  off  to  an  equal  height ; if  any  are  too  short 
they  are  spliced  by  placing  one  on  top  of  the  other, 
and  nailing  a strip  of  inch  board  on  both  sides.  The 


158  woodward's  country  homes. 

wall  plate,  2 by  4 inches,  is  laid  flat  on  top  of  the 
studding,  and  nailed  to  each  stud  ; the  rafters  are 
then  put  on  ; they  are  notched,  allowing  the  ends  to 
project  outside  for  cornice,  &c.  The  hearing  of  each 
rafter  comes  directly  over  the  top  of  each  stud,  and  is 
nailed  to  it. 


A Balloon  Frame  looks  light,  and  its  name  was 
given  in  contempt  hy  those  old  fogy  mechanics  who 
had  been  brought  up  to  rob  a stick  of  timber  of  all  its 
strength  and  durability,  by  cutting  it  full  of  mortices, 
tenons  and  augur  holes,  and  then  supposing  it  to  be 
stronger  than  a far  lighter  stick  differently  applied, 
and  with  all  its  capabilities  unimpaired. 


woodward’s  country  homes.  159 

Properly  constructed,  and  with  timber  adapted  to 
its  purposes,  it  will  stand  securely  against  the  fury  of 
the  elements,  and  answer  every  purpose  that  an  old 
fashioned  timber  frame  is  calculated  to  fulfill. 

When  the  building  is  supported  on  posts,  heavy 
sills  are  necessary,  and  the  frame  should  be  securely 
nailed  or  spiked  together.  The  bents  may  be  16,  24 
or  30  inches  apart,  and  covered  in  the  usual  manner. 
The  thrust  of  both  the  rafters  and  contents  of  the 
building  are  outward  ; the  tie,  1 by  4,  is  abundantly 
strong,  as  each  one  will  practically  sustain,  in  the 
direction  of  its  fibre,  three  tons.  The  floor  joists  are 
nailed  to  studs  at  each  end.  No  one  need  fear  any 
lack  of  perfect  security,  as  these  ties  exceed  in  strength 
any  hold  that  tenons  could  have. 

Fig.  113  illustrates  the  manner  of  framing  buildings 
of  one  story,  such  as  are  used  about  almost  every 
farm  or  country  seat,  as  tool  houses,  granaries,  wash- 
houses, spring  houses,  &c.,  &c. 

Very  small  buildings,  if  un  plastered,  will  not  re- 
quire ceiling  joists  ; a tie  at  each  end  will  be  all-suffi- 
cient. Moderate  size  buildings  will  be  strong  enough 
if  the  ceiling  joists  are  left  out,  and  collars  put  on 
half  way  up  the  rise  of  the  rafter.  According  to  the 
size  and  uses  of  the  building,  the  collars  or  ceiling 
joists  may  be  put  on  every  rafter,  every  other,  or 
every  third  rafter  ; floor  joists  should  be  about  16 


160 


woodward's  country  homes. 


inches  between  centres,  and  the  studding  may  be  from 
16  inches  to  8 feet  apart  ; in  the  last  case  only,  every 
sixth  floor  joist  is  nailed  to  the  stud,  the  intermediate 


Fig.  113. — Isometrical  Perspective  Balloon  Frame . 


ones  being  arranged  equally  distant  from  each  other 
between  the  studding.  Where  the  studding  is  placed 
wide  apart,  the  plate  must  necessarily  be  heavier  to 
sustain  the  roof ; if  vertical  siding  be  used,  it  should 
be  nailed  to  the  sill  and  plate,  and  to  an  intermediate 


woodward's  country  homes.  161 

horizontal  strip  spiked  in  between  the  studding  ; if 
done  in  this  way,  the  plate  may  be  lighter  ; when 
horizontal  siding  is  used,  the  studding  should  not  be 
more  than  4 feet  apart — in  small  buildings,  say  12  by 
20  feet,  we  should  cut  all  our  stuff,  except  joists, 
from  1\  inch  plank.  Studs  4 inches  wide,  rafters  5 
inches  wide  ; floor  joists  should  be  2 by  9 inches,  and 
put  all  up  30  inches  between  centres. 

In  Fig.  114  is  shown  the  manner  of  constructing 
frames  for  buildings  of  three  stories.  The  corner  stud, 
4 by  4,  is  composed  of  and  built  up  with  two  2 by  4 
studs,  which  are  nailed  together,  breaking  joints  as 
the  building  progresses  in  height ; the  splicing  of 
studs  is  done  in  the  same  manner,  being  nailed  toge- 
ther as  fast  as  additional  length  is  required  ; the 
joists  of  the  last  floor  are  laid  upon  the  plate,  and 
they  act  as  tie-beams  to  sustain  the  thrust  of  the 
rafters.  We  consider  the  splice  where  the  studs  butt 
and  have  side  strips  nailed  to  them,  to  be  the  most 
secure  ; the  lapping  splice  is  very  generally  used, 
however,  and  found  to  answer  every  purpose. 

Ribs  for  vertical  siding  may  be  put  on  in  two  ways  ; 
one  as  shown,  by  which  the  ribs  run  over  the  sill,  and 
are  nailed  to  it ; a strip  of  the  same  thickness  as  ribs, 
say  1J  inches,  nailed  on  to  the  sill  to  fill  up  the  space 
between  the  ribs,  and  is  then  covered  by  the  outside 
plinth  or  base.  The  other  plan  is  to  set  the  studs 


162 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


back  1^  inches  from  face  edge  of  sill ; then  let  the 
end  of  ribs  bevel  down  on  the  sill,  or  dovetail  them 
into  the  edge. 


f-t 

© 

"w 


Joist  resting, 
on  plate. 


Joist  notched 
down  on  6ide 
girt. 


Side  girt 
gained  in 
flush  for  plas- 
ter. 


Joist  bearing 
on  sill  and 
foundation. 


Fig.  114  —Three  Story  Building.  Balloon  Framing.  Details. 

Flo-  115  Joist  notched  down  on  plate.  Fig.  116.  Side  girt  not  gained  in  for  small 
uimla'stered  buildings.  Fig- 117.  Inside  lining -answers the  same  purpose  as  aside 
girth.  Fig.  118.  Joist  bearing  on  sill. 


Either  outside  or  inside  lining  may  be  used,  or  both 
together.  Where  diagonal  lining  is  used,  it  should 
be  reversed  or  run  the  other  way  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  house. 


woodward's  country  homes.  153 

The  lining  of  a Balloon  Frame  adds  immensely  to 
its  strength,  particularly  so  if  put  on  diagonally  ; it 
may  he  done  outside  or  inside,  though  on  the  whole 
the  inside  is  preferable.  If  done  outside,  it  should  be 
carried  over  the  sill  and  nailed  to  it ; the  sill  being 


Fig.  120. — Diagonal  Ribs  for  V erUcal  or  Battened  Siding. 

wider  than  the  studding,  in  order  to  get  a larger  bear- 
ing on  the  masonry,  and  the  floor  joists  being  in  the 
way,  does  not  admit  of  inside  lining  being  put  on  in 
the  same  manner. 

A first-class  Balloon  Frame  should  be  lined,  if  for 
vertical  siding,  outside  the  studding — if  horizontal 


164 


woodward's  country  homes. 


siding  is  used,  line  inside;  it  makes  the  frame  stiffer 
and  the  building  warmer.  Some  line  diagonally,  say 
from  centre  next  the  first  floor  towards  extreme  upper 
corners  both  ways;  others  line  one  side  diagonally  in 
one  direction,  and  the  other  in  an  opposite  direction. 
This  makes  assurance  of  strength  doubly  sure.  If 
lined  inside,  nail  perpendicular  lath  to  the  lining  16 
inches  from  centres,  and  on  this  lath  horizontally  for 
plastering. 


Fig.  121. — Showing  lengthwise  and  crosswise  manner  of  tying  frame. 

The  principle  of  Balloon  Framing  is  the  true  one 
for  strength,  as  well  as  for  economy.  If  a mechanic 
is  employed,  the  Balloon  Frame  can  be  put  up  for 
forty  per  cent,  less  money  than  the  mortice  and 
tenon  frame.  If  you  erect  a balloon  frame  yourself, 
which  you  can  easily  do  without  the  aid  of  a mechan- 
ic, it  costs  the  price  of  the  materials  and  whatever 
value  you  put  upon  your  own  time. 

Fig.  121  shows  the  manner  of  attaching  the  flooring 
to  gable  end  studding,  and  in  those  buildings  in 
which  the  thrust  of  the  rafters  is  in  the  direction  of 
the  flooring — if  every  third  stud  be  bolted  to  the  joist 


woodward’s  country  homes.  165 

in  the  manner  shown,  it  makes  the  tie ' equal  if  not 
superior  to  that  in  the  direction  of  the  joists. 

Fig.  122  explains  the  manner  of  framing  the  largest 
class  of  barns.  Wide  openings,  like  bays,  require  the 
use  of  heavy  timber,  and  the  mortice,  tenon  and  brace, 
only  so  far  as  the  gallows  frame  is  concerned  ; the 
balance  of  the  frame  is  of  light  stuff,  studding  2 feet 


Fig.  122. — Manner  of  Framing  Large  Barns. 
to  2 \ feet  apart,  2 by  6 inches,  every  third  one  2 by 
8 inches,  into  which  is  gained  the  side  girt,  it  being 
nailed  to  the  others.  On  this  rests  one  end  of  the 
temporary  floors,  the  gallows  frame  supports  the  roof, 
and  the  rafters. are  secured  to  it,  so  that  they  become 
ties.  The  side  of  this  building  is  like  a floor  turned 
on  edge,  and  is  firmly  secured  by  the  floor  joists  at  the 
bottom  and  the  rafters  at  the  top. 


166 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


Warehouses,  depots,  and  other  buildings  of  a very 
large  size,  can  be  made  stronger  by  using  the  Balloon 
Frame,  instead  of  the  heavy  timber  frame.  Those 
who  prefer  to  err  on  the  right  side,  can  get  unneces- 
sary strength  by  using  deeper  studding,  placing  them 
' closer  together,  putting  in  one  or  more  rows  of  bridg- 
ing and  as  many  diagonal  ribs  as  they  like.  In  large 
buildings  there  is  no  saving  in  timber,  only  the  sub- 
stitution of  small  sizes  for  large — the  great  saving  is 
in  the  labor,  which  is  quite  important. 

The  following  are  some  of  the  advantages  claimed 
for  the  Balloon  Frame: 

1.  The  principal  labor  of  framing  is  dispensed  with. 

2.  It  is  a far  cheaper  frame  to  raise. 

3.  It  is  stronger  and  more  durable  than  any  other 
frame. 

4.  Any  stick  can  be  removed,  and  another  put  in 
its  place,  without  disturbing  the  strength  of  those 
remaining — in  fact,  the  whole  building  can  be  renewed 
stick  by  stick, 

5.  It  is  adapted  to  every  style  of  building,  and  bet- 
ter adapted  for  all  irregular  forms. 

6.  It  is  forty  per  cent,  cheaper  than  any  other  known 
style  of  frame. 

7.  It  embraces  strength,  security,  comfort  and 
economy,  and  can  be  put  up  without  the  aid  of  a 
mechanic. 


woodwabd’s  COUNTBY  POMES. 


167 


DESIGN  No.  32. 

IIOW  TO  RE-MODEL  AN  OLD  FARM  HOUSE,  &c. 

We  never  build  a house  for  our  own  use,  but 
somebody  fancies  it.  As  soon  as  we  are  comfortably 
settled,  our  roads  in  fine  order,  and  lawn  in  hand- 
some shape,  it  captivates  some  one.  Adjoining  our 
former  home,  thus  sold,  was  a six  acre  tract,  which 
we  purchased,  with  an  old  stone  house,  whose  foun- 
dations were  laid  a century  ago.  On  the  broad  and 
ample  hearth  the  fire  blazed  before  the  Revolution, 
u In  old  colony  times,  when  we  were  under  the 
king/'  The  massive  walls  two  feet  thick,  were  as  solid 
as  the  day  they  were  laid,  the  timbers  and  floors 
staunch  and  good  for  a century  to  come  ; but  all  else 
gave  evidence  of  the  wear  and  tear  of  time,  the  shingles 
were  literally  worn  through,  and  all  exposed  wood  work 
in  a state  of  dilapidation.  It  might  be  termed  a very 
hard  subject. 

The  main  building,  as  represented  by  the  heavy 
walls  in  the  plan,  we  modernized  only  so  far  as  to 
make  it  useful,  and  to  harmonize  with  the  necessary 
additions. 

In  the  parlor  were  retained  all  the  original  features  : 
a moderately  low  ceiling,  the  old  fire-place,  four  by  six 


168  woodward’s  country  homes. 

feet,  each  jamb  a solid  block  of  stone,  and  the  deep 
windows,  with  twenty-four  panes  of  glass.  The  only 
change  in  the  exterior  was  to  project  the  cornice  two 
feet  on  all  sides,  and  to  construct  the  Dormer  window 


Fig.  123. — View  of  the  old  Farm  House. 


to  light  the  hitherto  unfinished  attic.  A chimney  was 
added,  and  the  roof  entirely  reshingled. 

The  first  addition  containing  the  dining-room  was 
changed,  by  putting  a spacious  bay  window  on  the 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


169 


Fig.  125. — The  old  Farm  House  Re-modeled, 
Residence  of  George  E.  Woodward, 


Fig.  127. — Plan  of  Second-floor. 


170 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


front,  which  was  carried  up,  and  covered  by  the  centre 
"able,  thus  giving  a convenient  and  pleasant  room 
above  ; this,  some  day,  can  be  again  raised,  and  con- 
verted into  a tower,  giving  greater  variety  to  the 
sky-lines.  The  kitchen  apartments  were  entirely 
reconstructed,  with  cellar,  &c. 

Boiling  Spring,  New  Jersey,  where  this  house  is 
located,  is  situated  on  the  Erie  Railway,  ten  miles 
from  the  City  Hall,  New  York,  on  high  ground,  being 
on  the  dividing  ridge  between  the  Hackensack  and 
Passaic  rivers.  The  Erie  Railway  run  their  “ broad 
gauge  palace  cars”  almost  hourly  each  way,  over  a 
double  track,  straight  and  level.  Twenty-four  minutes 
is  the  running  time  to  Pavonia  ferry,  and  fifteen  minutes 
more  to  Chambers  Street.  New  York.  The  fare  per 
annum,  is  $49.75,  which  is  eight  cents  per  trip,  or  20 
per  cent,  less  than  omnibus  fare  in  the  city.  To  those 
who  do  business  in  town  and  love  to  live  in  the  coun- 
try, rapid  and  convenient  access  is  necessary,  and  a 
double  track  national  highway,  like  that  of  the  Erie 
road,  with  its  immense  resources,  affords  facilities  more 
reliable  than  any  existing  between  the  upper  and  lower 
portions  of  New  York  city.  Those  who  live  above 
30th  street,  are  more  remote  from  business ; and 
before  any  of  the  northern  and  eastern  lines  of  railroad 
get  clear  of  the  city,  we  are  fairly  at  home  in  the 
country. 


woodward’s  country  homes.  17] 


Fig.  129. — Plan  of  Two  Acres  improved. 


172  woodward’s  country  homes. 

Fig.  128,  is  tlie  plan  of  two  acres  about  tlie  house  at 
time  of  purchase,  which  by  a former  owner  had  been 
fenced  into  seven  different  enclosures,  in  accordance 
with  the  prevailing  taste.  The  house  is  quite  close 
to  the  road,  which  is  some  six  or  eight  feet  lower 
than  the  grounds.  This  we  propose  to  treat  in  such 
manner  by  planting  as  to  make  the  existence  of  the  road 
unnoticeable  to  one  sitting  on  the  veranda,  except, 
perhaps,  by  the  rattle  of  a passing  vehicle.  The  house 
faces  the  south-east,  and  the  slope  is  gradual  to  the 
cross-road  in  front  of  the  house. 

In  Fig.  129  is  shown  the  plan  of  the  grounds  as  alter- 
ed; with  all  fences  removed.  The  effect  of  this  was  to 
increase  their  apparent  size  and  extent.  The  darker 
shade  on  plan  represents  the  part  devoted  to  lawn 
and  ornamental  planting,  and  the  lighter  shade,  the 
fruit  and  vegetable  garden.  The  fruit  garden  lying 
next  the  lawn. 

The  old  barn,  36  feet  square,  built  in  1806,  again 
covered  forty  years  later,  is  still  a thoroughly  substan- 
tial affair.  The  mode  of  getting  to  it  from  the  road 
was  to  drive  around  three  sides  of  it.  We  changed 
the  plan  and  now  go  direct.  See.  Figs  130  and  131. 

The  removal  of  the  barn-yard,  poultry-house,  etc., 
from  the  front  of  the  barn  and  out  of  sight  of  the 
house,  was  one  of  the  most  effective  improvements. 
These  enclosures  which  now  hide  all  wood-piles, 


woodward's  country  homes. 


173 


wagons,  compost  heaps,  rubbish,  etc.,  are  entirely  sep- 
arate from  the  orderly  neatness  of  the  dress  grounds. 
The  fence  on  the  left  divides  the  lawn  and  garden  from 


Fig.  130. — Old  Plan  of  Bam. 

the  pasture  ; this  fence,  being  a light  one,  presents 
no  obstruction,  so  that  the  lawn,  apparently  uniting 


HA  V, 

ICE 

12X12 

T 

with  pasture  and  hay  lands,  gives  great  extent  of  view. 
The  surplus  of  the  garden  is  easily  fed  out  to  the  cattle 
in  adjoining  pasture. 


174 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


The  old  well,  built  of  cut  stone,  and  laid  up  at  a 
time  when  work  was  done  honestly,  stands  about  30 
feet  from  the  front  of  the  house.  The  old  well-house 


Fig.  132 — The  old  Well  House. 


is  shown  in  Fig.  132,  and  in  Fig.  133  we  show  the 
improvement  made. 

Directly  opposite  the  end  of  the  veranda  was  the 


Fig.  133. — The  old  Well  House  improved. 

small  entrance  gate,  as  shown  in  Fig.  134.  The  path 
from  this  gate  led  straight  to  the  corner  post  and  along 
the  edge  of  the  platform.  This,  point  of  entrance  we  re- 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


175 


removed  twenty  feet,  and  now  approach  the  house  by  a 
curved  line  of  walk.  F ig.  135  shows  the  style  of  entrance 


Fig.  134. — The  old  Gate . 


Fig.  . 135. — The  new  Entrance. 

we  have  planned  for  erection.  F or  this  we  are  indebted 
to  the  serviceable  hints  of  the  accomplished  author  of 


176 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


“ My  Farm  of  Edgewood,”  in  the  valuable  illustrated 
articles  from  his  pen,  for  which,  see  volume  of  the 
Horticulturist  for  1865. 


DESIGN  No.  33. 

DESIGN  FOR  A COUNTRY  HOUSE  OR  PARSONAGE. 

BY  REV.  P.  D.  OA'fcEY,  JAMAICA,  N.  Y. 

The  desire  to  produce  pleasing  effects  in  the  struc- 
ture of  country  houses  has  much  increased  the  past 
few  years.  The  gratifying  evidence  of  this  is  forced 
upon  our  attention  on  every  line  of  travel.  Every 
one  who  contributes  to  this  taste  is  so  far  a benefactor 
to  his  kind.  It  has  this  plea  for  universal  adoption, 
that  while  it  violates  no  principle  of  utility7',  it  elevates 
mentally  and  morally  only  by  the  exercise  of  correct 
judgment  without  expense.  I speak  of  it  in  its  sim- 
ple, and  therefore  purer  forms  of  cottage  building. 

It  is  thought  that  the  plan  here  submitted  will 
commend  itself  to  the  taste  of  those  who,  having  a 
moderate  income — and  such  constitute  the  bulk  of 
society — and  who,  having  no  money  to  lavish  upon 
merely  useless  show,  would  have  enough  variety  in 
style,  solid  embellishments,  convenience  of  arrange- 
ment, rooms  of  suitable  size  and  number — affording 
sufficient  retirement  and  accommodation  as  shall  com- 


WOODWARD  S COUNTRY  HOMES. 


177 


bine  to  produce  a pleasing  impression,  externally  and 
internally,  upon  which  the  eye  of  the  stranger  is  wel- 
come to  rest,  and  make  the  happy  and  contented  fam- 
ily feel  that  they  have  a home , the  endeared  remem- 
brances of  which  will  never  leave  them  till,  a home  on 
earth  is  needed  no  more. 


Fig.  136. — Perspective . 


Some  of  these  effects,  we  think,  may  be  realized  in 
this  plan.  Enter  the  gate,  and,  by  a neatly-trimmed 
winding-path,  step  upon  the  veranda  and  look  for 
yourself.  It  is  situated  on  a village  lot,  say  65  feet 
front  and  200  deep.  It  is  not  built  large  in  front,  so 
that  space  may  intervene  on  either  side  for  shrubbery 
and  trees,  to  secure  seclusion  and  keep  out  intrusive 
eyes  of  neighbors.  Yet,  in  the  dining-room  a bay  win- 


178 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


dow  commands  a street  view.  It  fronts  the  east,  and 
hence  the  rooms  used  have  a southern  aspect.  The 
veranda  itself  is  worthy  of  a passing  notice,  as  it  is 
ample,  compared  with  the  size  of  the  house,  and 
its  form  in  keeping  with  the  hay  windows  that 
diversify  and  give  character  to  the  exterior.  I would 
not  make  the  path  to  the  veranda  direct  in  front  of 
it,  at  right-angles  with  the  street,  hut  from  a gate 


Fig.  137. — Cellar. 


near  the  southern  corner  of  the  front  lot  by  a gentle 
serpentine  line,  and  thus  leave  the  space  of  the  front 
yard,  opposite  the  parlor  window,  unobstructed,  for 
the  exhibition  of  taste  in  cultivating  some  of  the 
smaller  flowers  and  shrubbery,  which,  with  a closely- 
shaven  grass-plat  as  the  groundwork,  never  fails  to 
awaken  a sense  of  pleasure. 

But  the  entry-door  is  open — {it  opens  readily  to  its 
friends.)  Look  in.  You  would  have  the  hall  go  all 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


179 


the  way  back  ? Well,  that  is  the  old-fashioned  way, 
but  it  has  not  the  beauty  of  utility  to  recommend  it. 
There  is  no  need  of  it;  and  the  open  seams  of  the 
u back  door  ” only  made  sluices  for  Boreas  of  the 
north  storm  to  whistle  his  ghostly  stories  through  of 
dark  nights,  as  it  used  to  seem  to  us  in  our  childhood. 
Besides  making  a warmer  house,  we  have  made  better 
us 3 of  that  space,  as  you  shall  see  when  we  get  to  it; 


and  economy  in  fuel  and  space  are  two  important 
items  since  the  strike  in  the  coal  regions  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  the  high  price  of  material. 

But,  in  the  meanwhile,  step  a moment  into  the  par- 
lor. It  is  not  over  large,  but  cozy,  well  lighted,  well 
ventilated,  and  sufficiently  large  enough  for  ordinary 
families,  its  marble-manteled  fire-place  offsetting  its 
bay  window,  which  enlarges  the  room,  and  gives  to  it 


180  WOODWAHl/S  COUNTRY  HOMES. 

ail  air  of  refinement;  its  north  and  south  windows 
equalizing  each  other,  the  one  shielded  from  the  rays 
of  the  sun  by  opening  under  the  shade  of  the  veranda, 
while  in  the  space  on  the  right  of  the  fire-place  is  just 
the  place  for  the  piano.  But  cross  into  the  dining  or 
sitting-room,  and  observe,  in  passing,  that  its  door 


Fig.  140. — 1st  Floor  differently  arranged , not  referred  to  in  description. 

opens  right  opposite  the  front  door,  so  that  when  the 
dog  star  is  in  the  ascendancy,  and  air  is  desired,  you 
cap.  sit  with  both  doors  opened,  having  a pleasant 
front  view  unexposed.  This  room  is  of  proper  capa- 
city, has  a good  china  closet,  a plain  marble  mantel,  an 
end  window  commanding  the  garden,  and  a bay  window 
giving  a pleasing  effect  to  the  whole,  and  raising 
it  above  the  monotonous  style  of  mediocrity.  As 


WOODWARD  S COUNTRY  HOMES. 


181 


this  bay  window  is  quite  roomy,  8 feet  in  the  clear, 
and  as  it  is  supposed  to  face  the  south,  in  winter  time 
it  would  make  quite  a pretty  conservatory  for  house 
plants,  which,  if  properly  cared  for,  contribute  much 
to  the  cultivation  of  a correct  taste.  The  enjoyment 
of  life  consists  not  so  much  in  great  things  as  in  ex- 
tracting items  of  pleasure  from  little  things.  The  cul- 
tivation of  a single  house  plant,  the  architectural  or- 
der of  a room,  the  proper  disposition  of  furniture, 
never  go  without  their  proportionable  reward. 

From  this  room,  access  to  the  kitchen  is  easy.  The 
kitchen  is  an  important  place;  it,  wants  good  light,  a 
good  tire-place,  a large  closet,  a cistern  pump,  and 
waste-pipe,  easy  access  to  the  yard  and  cellar,  and  it 
has  them  all.  A short  passage-way  leads  from  these 
rooms  to  the  cellar  steps  under  the  stairway,  and  to 
the  main  hall.  Also,  from  this  passage-way  a door 
opens  into  a small  chamber,  which  I have  designated 
as  a store-room.  This  is  a useful  apartment;  and 
while  it  wants  to  be  out  of  the  way,  it  needs  to  be 
near  the  kitchen  and  sitting-room. 

Let  us  go  up  stairs.  Everything  here  speaks  plainly 
for  itself,  so  I will  not  detain  you.  The  rooms  are 
quite  large;  all  have  closets,  and  can  be  heated,  except 
the  small  chamber,  by  stove.  Stove-pipe  holes  are  in 
the  chimneys,  and  swinging  sashes  over  the  doors  to 
give  ventilation.  The  clrmneys  are  inside  the  build- 


182 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


ing,  so  that  all  heat  is  saved.  A clothes-room,  which 
might  he  made  a bath-room,  opens  into  the  large 
chamber  adjoining.  The  walls  are  filled  in  with  brick. 
The  roof  projects,  and  the  gables  have  large  boards  of 
stout  plank.  It  is  thought  that  in  the  external  ap- 
pearance of  this  house,  and  the  order  of  the  rooms, 
there  are  advantages  pleasing  to  a good  taste,  and  con- 
ducing to  the  comforts  of  every-day  home  life. 


Fig.  142. — Ice  House. 


Fig.  141. — Ice  House. 


Fig.  143.  — Ice  House. 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


183 


DESIGN  No,  34. 

A COUNTRY  HOUSE. 

The  plan  of  this  house  explains,  itself.  It  is  in 
every  way  compact  and  convenient.  It  would  he 
difficult  to  find  any  loss  of  space.  The  veranda,  with 
its  broken  lines  and  clustered  columns,  gives  a pretty 
effect  to  the  approach  of  the  house.  By  the  main 
entrance  all  the  rooms  are  easily  reached,  and  the  doors 
of  the  parlor  and  sitting-room  are  so  arranged  lhat,  in 
case  of  large  company,  there  can  be  free  circulation 
from  one  to  the  other.  All  the  rooms  are  brought 
close  together,  and  though  within  a few  steps  of  one 
another,  by  short  passage-ways  and  doors,  the  smell 
of  the  kitchen  and  noise  of  one  room  is  effectually  ex- 
cluded from  the  others.  Every  room,  excepting  the 
parlor,  has  a closet.  The  door  of  the  sitting-room, 
opening  directly  opposite  the  hall-door,  which  opens 
under  cover  of  the  piazza,  gives,  in  the  summer 
season,  both  air  and  a pleasant  garden  view.  The 
tea  room  may  be  used  as  its  name  designates.  For 
this  purpose  it  has  an  ample  closet,  and  but  a step 
from  the  kitchen,  though  entirely  shut  off  from  it. 


184 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


But  the  sitting  room  is  quite  a9  convenient,  and 
few  families  of  moderate  means  care  or  expect  but 
that  their  dining  and  sitting-room  shall  be  one.  In 
this  case,  this  house  might  he  mad  3 a very  snug  village 
parsonage,  and  this  room,  as  it  is  separate  from  pther 
rooms,  is  of  easy  access  by  the  main  hall,  or  by  the 
main  path  from  the  street,  with  its  windows  opening 


Fig.  144. — Perspective. 


under,  and  ready  access  to  the  side  piazza,  he  made  a 
very  neat  library  or  study.  The  kitchen  is  a clear, 
square  room,  with  no  encroaching  projections,  but  with 
a large  wall  pantry.  Everything  here  is  handy  and 
convenient.  The  cistern  pump  is  in  one  of  the  re- 
cessed corners  of  the  chimney,  just  where  it  ought  to 
be,  out  of  the,way,  and  close  by  the  range,  where  a 


woodward’s  country  homes. 


185 


pot  of  hot  water  is  always  expected,  and  where 
there  is  also  a sink  to  carry  off  all  the  waste  water. 
One  door  leads  from  the  kitchen  to  the  back  stairs, 
another  under  these  stairs  into  the  cellar.  By  having 
this  cellar  door  near  the  outside  kitchen  door,  there  is 
no  tramping  across  the  kitchen  floor  necessary  to  get 
to  it,  and  the  necessity  of  having  outside  cellar  doors 
is  obviated.  The  outside  kitchen  door  opens  under 
cover  of  a shed,  which  shed  is  in  keeping  with  houses 
of  this  style,  and  greatly  adds  to  the  convenience  of 
the  culinary  department.  In  this  shed  a stove  can  he 
used  in  the  warm  weather,  by  having  a stove-pipe  hole 
made  from  the  outside  into  the  kitchen  chimney. 
When  the  main  chimneys  are  being  built,  flues  from 
the  cellar  should  be  constructed  with  them,  so  that, 
if  at  any  time  desired,  a furnace  may  be  used.  The 
cellar  floor  should  be  cemented. 

The  plan  may  be  somewhat  cheapened,  and  yet  its 
convenience  and  general  effect  not  materially  altered. 
Making  the  parlor  14  x 20,  instead  of  22,  and  dispens- 
ing with  the  hall  between  the  living  and  dining-rooms, 
these  rooms  would  be  brought  in  immediate  connection 
by  a door  opening  between  them,  and  then,  if  the 
family  are  so  disposed,  this  would  make  a fine  sleeping 
room,  easily  warmed  in  winter  from  the  sitting-room. 
In  this  case,  the  door  of  the  living-room,  now  opening 
into  the  rear-hall,  would  open  directly  on  the  veranda; 


186  woodward’s  country  homes. 


and  the  door  from  the  main  hall  will  open  into  the 
living  room. 

We  think  that  the  second  floor  affords  as  much  sleep- 
ing room  and  as  convenient  arrangement  as  is  neces- 
sary to  meet  the  requirements  of  any  ordinary  family 
who  wish  to  combine  economy,  taste  and  convenience. 
There  are  five  sleeeping  rooms  and  a room  for  domes- 
tics in  the  story  over  the  kitchen.  An  ample  kitchen 
garret,  very  easy  of  access  from  the  kitchen,  makes  an 


Fig.  147. — 2nd  floor. 


excellent  stow-away  room.  A door  between  the  kitchen 
garret  and  the  main  building  gives  the  servant  girl  ac- 
cess to  all  of  the  upper  floor,  and  at  the  same  time,  by 
a bolt  or  lock,  entirely  shuts  off  the  kitchen  from  all 
other  parts  of  the  house.  The  chimneys  are  so  dis- 
posed that  either  of  the  four  principal  sleeping  rooms 
can  have  a stove.  Where  rooms  are  used  exclusively 
for  sleeping  rooms,  size  is  not  of  so  much  importance, 
if  ventilation  is  properly  attended  to.  This  is  ac- 
complished in  these  rooms  by  having  stove-pipe  holes 


woodward's  country  homes.  187 

near  the  ceiling,  and  pivot  sashes  over  the  doors. 
Thus,  each  room  is  well  ventilated,  without  the 
occupant  of  the  bed  being  exposed  to  the  draught. 
The  little  hall  room  may  have  a door  communicating 
with  either  of  the  other  front  rooms  and  be  used  for 
childrens'  sleeping  room  or  lady's  boudoir.  Its  window 
gives  egress  to  the  pleasant  balcony  over  the  veranda. 
The  closets  in  the  front  rooms  conform  to  the  style  of 
the  building,  and  have  a pretty  effect  by  making  re- 
cessed windows,  under  which  cushioned  seats  may  be 
formed,  gratifying  a principle  both  of  taste  and  utility. 
These  shaped  closets  will  be  in  special  keeping  if  the 
room  is  not  a full  story,  but  yields  to  a small  curva- 
ture in  the  ceiling. 

The  style  of  this  house  is  of  the  Rural  Gothic  order. 
It  has  a gable  in  front,  under  which  is  a Gothic  window 
leading  to  the  veranda  balcony.  It  is  weather-boarded, 
with  sharp  pitch,  projecting  roof,  with  cut  shingles, 
and  pendant  barge  boards  in  all  the  gables.  The 
chimnies  ascend  from  the  ridges,  and  are  topped  with 
Scotch  Garnkirk  shafts,  much  preferable,  the  writer 
thinks,  to  our  common  terra  cotta  in  exposure  to 
the  keen  frosts  of  our  northern  winters. 


188 


woodward’s  country  homes, 


Fig.  148. — Ice  House . 


Fig.  149. — Ice  House . 


Fig.  150 Ice  House . 


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